Core Ethereum developer Federico Carrone has been released in Turkey after being detained for 24 hours in connection with research on security tools.
The incident revolves around the legal research related to Tornado Cash while reflecting the legal challenges faced by developers of open-source security protocols in the cryptocurrency space.
MAIN CONTENT
Federico Carrone – Ethereum developer – was detained and later released in Turkey related to security tools on the Ethereum platform.
The incident highlights the increasing legal risks for developers of open-source security protocols, exemplified by Tornado Cash.
The global blockchain community has actively supported Carrone; he donated 500,000 USD in ETH to Roman Storm's legal fund.
Who is Federico Carrone?
Federico Carrone is a core developer of Ethereum, known on the X platform by the nickname “Fede’s Intern”. He regularly contributes to security projects and research on privacy on Ethereum.
With deep expertise in network security and privacy protection solutions, Carrone is regarded by the international cryptocurrency community as one of the prominent faces driving innovation in DeFi technology.
"Developers like Federico Carrone have played a vital role in raising the security standards of the entire blockchain ecosystem."
Vitalik Buterin, Co-founder of Ethereum, June 2024, ETHGlobal speech
Carrone's influence extends beyond Ethereum as he has been invited to speak on On-chain security at many major events in the global cryptocurrency space.
Why was Federico Carrone detained in Turkey?
Carrone was detained in Turkey after the Interior Minister accused him of "aiding others in abusing Ethereum" through the development of a security tool.
The reason stems from a research paper co-authored by Carrone in January 2022 about security protocols, including Tornado Cash. However, the content of the research does not encourage or participate in any illegal activities.
"We have never helped anyone commit illegal acts; the research paper only focuses on analyzing mixers and their characteristics."
Federico Carrone, X.com, 08/12/2025
The incident has raised concerns about the legal safety for developers of privacy-protecting protocols in general worldwide.
What does the incident related to Tornado Cash signify?
The prolonged investigation into Tornado Cash – a well-known mixer tool on Ethereum – has become a focal point of controversy throughout 2023–2025. Both co-founders, Alexey Pertsev and Roman Storm, are embroiled in criminal lawsuits related to the management of this security protocol.
Experts believe that the outcomes of the trials in the USA and Europe will significantly impact the development of security protocols on Blockchain platforms.
"The Tornado Cash case will set a precedent for how the law handles open-source projects related to privacy."
Andreas Antonopoulos, Blockchain Expert, Decrypt report, May 2025
Cryptocurrency organizations and development communities are concerned that if open-source security code is criminalized, it will lead to negative consequences for technological innovation and digital freedoms.
How is global support for Carrone unfolding?
Immediately after Carrone was detained, friends and the cryptocurrency community from countries such as the UAE, the UK, the USA, Europe, Argentina, and even representatives of the Catholic Church made efforts to voice their concerns, directly contacting high-ranking Turkish officials.
Many organizations within and outside the Ethereum ecosystem, even the Solana community, have proactively offered support, demonstrating an unprecedented solidarity among Blockchain communities.
"I will never forget this. I hope to have the opportunity to repay everyone who helped me."
Federico Carrone, X.com, 08/12/2025
The strong involvement from various parties not only helped Carrone gain his freedom but also spread the message: the blockchain community always protects innovators against legal risks.
What is the current legal status of Federico Carrone?
Although he has been released and is now moving to Europe, Carrone's legal file remains open in Turkey. His lawyer is building a defense strategy, and Carrone does not rule out the possibility of returning to Turkey to clarify the incident and protect his personal honor.
This issue is part of a recent global trend of tightening control over blockchain security projects. Carrone asserts that he will cooperate with a highly specialized legal team to uncover the real reasons and quickly resolve the case.
"We still do not have the full picture of what happened, but we will coordinate with the best team to resolve this definitively."
Federico Carrone, X.com, 08/12/2025
Transparent handling will contribute to strengthening trust in the objectivity of the legal system when approaching new technological fields.
How does this event impact the Blockchain development community?
The case of Carrone and Tornado Cash is just one of many instances where developers of open-source privacy protection tools face legal pressure from various countries. This has made developers increasingly cautious about security projects, fearing that innovation could be criminalized.
Many reports, such as Chainalysis in July 2024, indicate that over 70% of DeFi developers are concerned when working with security protocols due to the risk of legal entanglement.
Expanding the issue, international debates revolve around the question: Is writing open-source code for security tools considered a crime? This is a core issue affecting the innovation potential of the entire technology sector.
The wave of legal and financial support for Roman Storm
In a spirit of solidarity, Carrone donated 500,000 USD in ETH to the legal fund supporting Roman Storm – co-founder of Tornado Cash, who is also facing similar charges in the USA.
This contribution not only has material significance but also conveys a strong message about the community's responsibility of blockchain developers towards their peers around the world.
"Protecting Roman is a demonstration of the belief that anyone who innovates always has a supportive community behind them."
Federico Carrone, X.com, 08/13/2025
The willingness of individuals and communities to provide legal support could be a model for protecting innovation, fostering trust for developers to continue moving forward.
Comparing legal actions with security projects worldwide
Recently, in addition to Tornado Cash, several projects and individuals related to security protocols have faced numerous legal difficulties in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Below is a basic comparison between two typical cases:
Tornado Cash criteria (USA/EU) Federico Carrone (Turkey) Individuals prosecuted Alexey Pertsev, Roman Storm Federico Carrone Legal reasons Supporting money laundering through the mixer protocol Researching security protocols Case status Under trial Still unresolved Level of international support Yes, but not widespread Widespread from many Blockchain ecosystems Impact on the industry Posing a risk of criminalizing developers Heightening vigilance, promoting community solidarity in Blockchain
The table above shows that the main differences lie in the legal reasons and the level of response from the international community to each specific case.
What do experts say about the long-term impact of the incident?
Global Blockchain experts believe that the Carrone case and the related legal disputes concerning Tornado Cash will have widespread implications for how policies on security and legal regulations regarding open-source are constructed.
A report from Coin Center (2024) states that criminalizing research or publishing security code could stifle innovation and hinder the development of the DeFi industry.
"If the law does not distinguish between the act of developing tools and using them for malicious purposes, it will undermine the creative motivation of the entire blockchain field."
Peter Van Valkenburgh, Director of Research at Coin Center, 2024
Digital rights organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, along with many cybersecurity scholars, advocate for applying a legal framework that clearly differentiates between developers and those using tools for illegal purposes.
How is the international blockchain community reacting?
In addition to sending direct petitions to parliaments and governments, many non-profit organizations specializing in technology and privacy have conducted workshops, calling for transparency in the legal framework regarding open-source projects.
DeFi community members in Europe, the USA, and Asia are intensifying information sharing, disseminating legal knowledge to developers, as well as providing support when facing risks.
Market analysis experts like The Block Research report that the number of new security tool projects developing on Ethereum decreased by 15% in the first half of 2025, while the total value locked (TVL) of this project group dropped nearly 30% compared to the beginning of the year.
What does the media say about the trend of tightening legal regulations on security protocols?
According to Reuters' analysis in August 2025, there is a growing trend of increased scrutiny on security and privacy projects in many regions, especially in the USA and Turkey. Regulators are concerned that mixers could become tools for money laundering and illegal financing.
At the same time, technology organizations, legal experts, and the development community argue that extreme policies can result in limitations on technological development, reducing the capacity to protect users from online threats.
In the first half of 2025, there were at least 5 cases of detention and summons of developers related to security protocols (according to Blockchain Association, 2025).
Opportunities and challenges for Blockchain security developers in the future
The current legal difficulties raise significant questions for the future direction of security protocol development: How to balance ensuring legal compliance and continuing innovation?
Developers, businesses, and DeFi organizations need to proactively build strong legal teams, enhance their understanding of international law, and promote transparency in product development methods.
The adoption of security standards, user identification verification (KYC), and cooperation with regulatory agencies are seen by many experts as short-term solutions to mitigate legal risks while still maintaining the ability to innovate and protect privacy for the cryptocurrency community.
What future scenarios are there for open-source security protocols?
It is likely that a new legal framework will emerge that clearly distinguishes developers and operators of security protocols from those who misuse the tools for malicious purposes.
Digital rights organizations, such as the Open Rights Group and EFF, are advocating for the establishment of open regulations that facilitate creative development while enhancing transparent cooperation between the development community and authorities.
Some international law firms predict that the trial process for cases like Tornado Cash will set an important precedent, helping Blockchain developers understand the legal boundaries, allowing them to confidently research and contribute.
Conclusion: Lessons for the Blockchain industry from the Federico Carrone case
The case of Federico Carrone clearly reflects the significant challenges that developers of security protocols face during the legal transition phase. The timely involvement of the international community, the spirit of solidarity among ecosystems like Ethereum and Solana, as well as transparency in resolving the case, are proof of the collective strength of the blockchain industry.
Protecting developers, promoting collaboration, and establishing clear legal boundaries are prerequisites for the sustainable innovation of blockchain technology in a global context.
Frequently asked questions
How long has Federico Carrone been detained and what is his current situation?
Carrone was detained for 24 hours in Turkey and is now free, but the case has not been closed.
What was the reason for his arrest?
The allegations stem from legal research related to security protocols, specifically Tornado Cash, on the Ethereum platform.
What is the legal status of Tornado Cash?
Two co-founders of Tornado Cash are facing criminal trial in the USA and Europe, which could set a precedent for laws regarding open-source security tools.
How have international Blockchain organizations supported Carrone?
Many individuals and organizations across Asia, Europe, and the USA have connected directly with Turkish officials, providing legal support and media outreach to protect Carrone.
What has Carrone contributed to the community after being released?
He donated 500,000 USD in ETH to support the legal fund of Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash.
What are the long-term consequences of this incident for security developers?
The community is concerned that legal pressures will hinder research activities while also promoting solidarity to protect innovation in the industry.
How to balance security innovation and legal compliance?
Experts propose establishing a transparent legal framework that distinguishes the role of developers from those using tools for illegal purposes.
Source: https://tintucbitcoin.com/nha-phat-trien-ethereum-carrone-duoc-tu-do/
Thank you for reading this article!
Please Like, Comment, and Follow TinTucBitcoin to stay updated with the latest news about the cryptocurrency market and not miss any important information!
