Tornado Cash Scores A Powerful Ally, Will The U.S. Revisit Its Ban

Nidhish Shanker
August 16, 2022
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Tornado Cash

The recently banned virtual currency mixer Tornado Cash has received a plethora of support from the crypto community. However, its most recent support is from a powerful ally. The Electronic Frontier Foundation(EFF), an international digital rights group, has questioned the US’ sanction of Tornado Cash.

The EFF is a non-profit that aims to expand internet civil liberties. It has scored key legal victories against the federal government and its agencies like the FCC. It has also pressured and prevailed against congress.

Recently, the US Treasury’s Office Of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Tornado Cash on the charges of money laundering. The platform works to obfuscate blockchain transactions and make them untraceable.

Tornado Cash Receives Massive Support

The banned mixer received a huge amount of support from the crypto and the blockchain community since the ban. Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, revealed that he used Tornado Cash to donate to Ukraine. Ukraine saw an outpouring of crypto donations amidst its war with Russia. Buterin revealed that he was protecting the identity of Ukrainians.

Patrick Collins, a developer advocate for Chainlink, revealed that the US Treasure is playing into the hands of hackers by banning privacy tools. He was also one of the many experts who made the claim of neutral technology. According to him, Tornado Cash, just like the internet, has both good and bad uses. 

The head of policy at Blockchain Association, Jake Chervinsky, believes that the OFAC crossed a line that it has always respected. 

Blockchain developers also built an alternate website to allow the continued use of the banned platform.

The EFF Question The US Government

In a statement, the Electronic Frontier Foundation questioned the OFAC’s move to sanction the platform. It also asked how an open-source privacy platform can be included in the list of sanctioned people.

It also made the free-speech argument against the ban. According to the EFF, the code is free speech. Such a sanction violates the First Amendment Rights of the people. Whether The EFF will force the OFAC to revisit its decision remains to be seen.

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Nidhish is a technology enthusiast, whose aim is to find elegant technical solutions to solve some of society's biggest issues. He is a firm believer of decentralization and wants to work on the mainstream adoption of Blockchain.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.