In a surprising turn of events, crowdfunding giant GoFundMe has abruptly canceled a fundraiser aimed at supporting Roman Storm and Alexey Pertsev, co-founders of the controversial cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash, in their legal battle against U.S. authorities.
The fundraiser, initiated by Storm on Jan. 22 via a heartfelt video plea, sought financial assistance from the crypto community to cover legal expenses incurred in their court skirmish with U.S. authorities. Allegations against the duo include accusations of facilitating the circumvention of U.S. sanctions.
Initially gaining traction, the fundraiser managed to amass a notable sum of $30,000 in donations through GoFundMe. However, the platform invoked Term 22 of its terms of service, deeming the fundraiser a liability risk. Term 22 prohibits activities that could potentially expose GoFundMe, its employees, or users to any form of harm or legal liability.
While the cancellation dealt a blow to their fundraising efforts on GoFundMe, Storm and Pertsev have swiftly shifted their focus to alternative platforms. Currently, they are relying on the crypto funding platform JuiceBox, where supporters have contributed 316.75 Ether, demonstrating a strong community backing for their cause.
Despite the setback, the duo remains undeterred in their pursuit of justice, with a target of raising $1.5 million to sustain their legal battle in the United States. Their determination reflects the resilience often observed within the cryptocurrency community, as they navigate legal and regulatory challenges in an ever-evolving landscape.
