Since a storm erupted in October 2022 with the sanctioning of crypto mixer Tornado Cash by US authorities, six of its users as well as the crypto community have decided to fight heart and soul to support it. And their action does not go unnoticed! Indeed, this Wednesday, the crypto advocacy groups Blockchain Association and DeFi Education Fund filed a court document in favor of a group of Tornado Cash users, in the United States District Court. A legal battle that promises to be eventful!
Advocacy groups make the case for Tornado Cash
Since the sanction of the crypto mixer Tornado Cash by the American authorities in October 2022, the legal battle has not weakened.
But the defenders of this technology are not deterred. On the contrary, they are mobilizing more and more. Coinbase had already taken a position in favor of Tornado Cash a few weeks ago. And now it’s the Blockchain Association and DeFi Education Fund’s turn to join the fight.
On April 12, Blockchain Association crypto advocacy groups and DeFi Education Fund have filed an amicus brief in the United States District Court. The latter is part of the lawsuit brought by six Tornado Cash users.
The groups blame the US Treasury Department, Secretary Janet Yellen, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) and its chief Andrea Gacki, the imposition of sanctions against the mixer in 2022.
Specifically, they accuse the US Treasury of moving Tornado Cash-related addresses to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list in August of that year.
Advocacy groups highlighted the importance of Tornado Cash’s social functions in their amicus brief. In addition, they express concern about OFAC sanctions, which risk setting a dangerous precedent.
They also explained that these measures could compromising the privacy of crypto users and limiting access to financial services for those who need them most.
This Tornado Cash case is definitely far from over. But with an ever-growing defense team, the odds may well end up tipping in favor of this controversial technology. The struggle continues !
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