GoFundMe canceled the crowdfunding campaign for the Tornado Cash legal battle, citing a violation of its terms of service. All donations to the fundraiser were returned to their original donors.
GoFundMe, an American crowdfunding platform, has canceled a fundraiser aimed at collecting legal fees for Roman Storm, co-founder of the controversial cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash, and its developer, Alexey Pertsev.
Storm released a video on Jan. 22 asking community members to help fund legal fees for its court battle against US authorities for allegedly facilitating to bypass of US sanctions.
2024 is the year that will define the rest of my life.
— Roman S (@rstormsf) January 22, 2024
Honestly, I’m scared. But also hopeful that this community cares with a passion.
Please donate towards my legal defense.https://t.co/dQ7SCBesIm pic.twitter.com/0jeievSUxc
While the Tornado Cash duo began receiving donations from supporters, GoFundMe canceled the fundraiser on February 14, citing a violation of their terms of service, specifically Term 22. It suggests that “GoFundMe, its employees, or Users may be exposed to any harm or liability of any type” as a result of the Tornado Cash fundraiser for legal fees.
The money we sent to @rstormsf was cancelled by @gofundme – they shut it down.
— RYAN SΞAN ADAMS – rsa.eth (@RyanSAdams) February 15, 2024
I thought this might happen but am still surprised.
Good thing we have an uncensorable money system so we can still fund civil liberties like the right to a fair trial.
Resending $10k with crypto. https://t.co/5Ud4ELiaK5 pic.twitter.com/glRXwtXPBw
The GoFundMe fundraiser was canceled, and many donors—including Ryan Adams of Bankless Ventures—had their donations reimbursed. He said:
“Thank goodness for an uncensorable financial system that enables us to maintain funding for civil liberties like the right to a fair trial.”
He promised to return Storm’s original $10,000 contribution in cryptocurrency. GoFundMe confirmed that the funds will be deposited into the donors’ bank accounts within three to seven business days.
Tornado Cash’s GoFundMe page received $30,000 in donations while it was live. Storm and Pertsev intend to raise $1.5 million to cover legal fees in the United States. The duo currently relies on the crypto funding platform JuiceBox, where they have collected 316.75 Ether (ETH) and $2,814.
However, the Tornado Cash community questions GoFundMe’s decision to cancel the fundraisers, as the platform has previously allowed similar campaigns to take place.
Storm and Semenov are accused of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transfer business, conspiring to violate sanctions, and conspiring to launder money. They maintain a not-guilty plea on all charges relating to money laundering and violations of US sanctions. Storm is out of jail on a $2 million bond and is barred from leaving certain areas of New York, New Jersey, Washington, and California.
