- Ethereum developer “Fede’s intern” has been released from Turkish custody after being detained over alleged links to Ethereum misuse, later revealing the accusations were tied to research on a privacy protocol.
- Following his release, he pledged $500,000 to Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm’s legal defense, with the Ethereum Foundation set to match donations up to the same amount.
Argentine blockchain developer known as “Fede’s intern” has been released by Turkish authorities after being detained in Izmir over alleged connections to the misuse of Ethereum as ETHNews earlier reported.
The developer, who is associated with multiple blockchain initiatives including investment firm Lambda Class, announced his freedom on Monday, pledging $500,000 to the legal defense of Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm.
Detained Over Privacy Protocol Links
Fede’s intern recounted on X that he was stopped at passport control upon arriving in Izmir to meet with builders, friends, and local businessmen as part of a DeFi project in Turkey. Turkish police informed him he could not enter the country, citing accusations from the Ministry of Interior that he had facilitated the misuse of Ethereum.
So we now have more information. The minister of internal affairs of Turkey is saying I helped people misuse @ethereum. I’m fully open to cooperate with any authorities from Turkey or any country, we didn’t help anybody do anything, but we will also defend ourselves.
— Fede’s intern 🥊 (@fede_intern) August 10, 2025
According to his attorney, the accusations were linked to an unnamed privacy protocol. While Fede’s intern did not confirm its identity, he referenced earlier work his team had done on Tornado Cash, noting that on the day Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev was arrested, they received a call about an academic paper and code they had published.
The research, he emphasized, demonstrated heuristics to deanonymize users of the Tornado Cash crypto mixer. “We didn’t develop privacy features, only code and a paper showing heuristics to deanonymize users,” he said, adding that the work was purely academic and not intended to aid in illegal activity.
$500,000 Donation to Roman Storm’s Defense
Following his release, Fede’s intern committed to donating $500,000 to Roman Storm’s legal defense, significantly increasing an initial $50,000 contribution planned by Lambda Class. He framed the donation as an act of solidarity, stating:
Open source and decentralization are not just philosophical ideals. Success in this space comes from building in the open, onboarding others, and creating movements that grow beyond the original project.
Roman Storm is currently embroiled in a high-profile legal battle in the U.S., facing charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and sanctions violations for operating Tornado Cash. A New York jury recently found him guilty of operating an unlicensed money transmitter, with his legal team preparing to appeal.
The Ethereum Foundation has pledged to match up to $500,000 in donations for Storm’s legal defense, potentially doubling the financial support.
Community Solidarity in the Face of Legal Pressure
Fede’s intern said he still does not fully understand the circumstances of his detention but is assembling a “top-tier team” to resolve the matter. His donation, he explained, is meant to reassure developers worldwide that they can continue to push the boundaries of blockchain innovation knowing the community will stand behind them in times of legal jeopardy.
“Roman’s legal defense matters because builders everywhere need to know they can push innovation forward,” he wrote. “And that the community will stand behind them when they do.”
