Vitalik Buterin Expresses Total Support For Tornado Cash Co-Founder Roman Storm

• Buterin has expressed total support for Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm.
• Vitalik Buterin is a supporter and an active user of privacy solutions.
• Privacy tools are crucial in today’s digital world, says Buterin.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has expressed support for Roman Storm, one of the three founders of Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixer that enabled untraceable transfers. In his latest post on X, Buterin shared a letter he wrote, stating his unwavering support for Storm and his blockchain solution.

Buterin noted that he has supported Storm’s work from the beginning, even before his challenges began with government and regulatory agencies. He explained that his support is rooted in his belief that privacy matters, adding that he personally uses Storm’s tools and similar privacy-focused solutions.

According to Buterin, privacy tools are crucial in today’s digital ecosystem, considering the potential risks associated with poorly managed personal information. The blockchain expert cited the social, commercial, and physical dangers that could arise when personal information gets into the wrong hands. Hence, his preference for privacy tools, including Storm’s Tornado Cash.

Privacy Campaign Does Not Imply Radicality

In the meantime, Buterin noted that determining whom to share personal information with is an essential approach to protecting against the above-mentioned threats. He clarified that his opinion is not a radical viewpoint but a demand for protection against vices that have persisted for several decades.

It is worth noting that Buterin disagrees with the “implicit” view that private data should be accessible to governments, the police, and intelligence agencies. He cited the potential for government databases to be hacked as a critical limitation, noting that foreign adversarial actors could steal people’s data for ulterior motives.

Roman Storm is Principled and Steadfast

Re-emphasizing his support, Buterin stated that he has used Storm’s software to make transactions, including buying software and supporting charities. He noted that using the solution ensured his personal information did not end up in corporate databases or unwanted platforms. He commended Storm’s steadfastness as a principled developer, unlike some others who use such causes as an excuse to make a profit and write software that has flashy advertising but is broken under the hood.

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