A coalition of prominent cryptocurrency advocacy groups has voiced its support for a blockchain developer embroiled in a legal battle with the US Department of Justice (DOJ). Paradigm, the DeFi Education Fund, the Blockchain Association, and the Crypto Council for Innovation have reportedly filed an amicus brief in support of Michael Lewellen, arguing against the DOJ's application of money transmission laws to non-custodial protocols. Lewellen contends that requiring decentralized software developers to comply with regulations designed for money transmitters would stifle innovation and hinder the growth of the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. The advocacy groups argue that the DOJ is improperly extending these laws, creating a chilling effect on developers and potentially criminalizing the creation of open-source software. This case is being closely watched as it could set a precedent for the regulatory treatment of DeFi and blockchain technology in the United States. A favorable outcome for Lewellen could safeguard developers from overly broad interpretations of money transmission laws. ```