Tornado Cash Co-Founder Alexey Pertsev Freed from Prison, Placed Under House Arrest
Tornado Cash co-founder Alexey Pertsev is out of prison but remains under house arrest as he fights his money laundering conviction on appeal.
After nearly nine months behind bars, Tornado Cash co-founder Alexey Pertsev has been released from a Dutch prison. However, he is not yet fully free—he will remain under house arrest while his appeal is processed.
Pertsev was convicted of money laundering last May in a controversial decision that shook the crypto community. His crime? Running an open-source platform that criminals misused—despite having no direct involvement in illegal activity. His legal battle is far from over, but his temporary release has been made possible through donations that covered his legal fees.
“Freedom is priceless, but my freedom has cost a lot,” Pertsev shared on social media. “My house arrest was only possible because of my lawyers, who were paid thanks to your contributions. My fight isn’t over, and I still need your help to achieve a final victory.”
His case has sparked strong support from the crypto world. Leading figures, including Vitalik Buterin, have contributed to his legal fund, and Paradigm has pledged $1.25 million to help his co-founder, Roman Storm, with his own legal troubles.
While Pertsev’s release is a small win, the situation remains uncertain. The US initially sanctioned Tornado Cash in 2022, but these restrictions were overturned in November. A US court upheld this decision in January, causing the platform’s token, TORN, to spike in value. Despite this legal victory, Tornado Cash continues to face scrutiny.
Last year, hackers laundered $50 million in a single month using the platform. This increase in illegal activity could work against Pertsev as he fights to overturn his conviction.
Still, he remains optimistic. “I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me, especially Vitalik Buterin and Stefan George. Your generosity keeps me going,” he said. “The legal battle is not over, but I’m hopeful 2025 will bring positive news.”
For now, Pertsev is at home, awaiting the next phase of his trial. Tornado Cash has also gained some relief from sanctions, but the battle for its future—and his freedom—is far from settled.
