Fede's Intern Released, Donates $500K to Roman Storm

Turkish authorities have released 'Fede's intern,' an Argentine blockchain developer recently detained for allegedly helping others misappropriate Ethereum. On Monday, he celebrated his release on X, stating he's 'finally out, safe, and free.' Initially reported detained in Izmir, the intern faced accusations from Turkey's Minister of Interior for facilitating Ethereum misuse. Though refraining from detailing the charges, the intern ensured he was getting support from both his legal team and the crypto community. He shared that upon arriving in Izmir to meet local developers and businessmen, he was stopped at passport control and detained by police. His X profile indicates connections with several blockchain projects, including investment firm Lambda Class. The intern disclosed that his attorney conveyed the Ministry's accusations were related to a privacy protocol, which he chose not to specify. He explained that on the same day Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev was arrested, his team received a notification about an academic paper they had published on the crypto mixer, which demonstrated methods to deanonymize users. 'We didn't develop privacy features; we only provided research on mixers,' he clarified. While he admits to not fully grasping the situation, he is assembling a skilled team to navigate the challenges ahead. In light of his recent experiences, Fede's intern announced a $500,000 donation to assist Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, with his legal defense. Initially, Lambda Class aimed to contribute $50,000, but the intern's ordeal in Turkey prompted a substantial increase. He emphasized that 'open source and decentralization are not just philosophical ideals,' highlighting the importance of community support in innovation within the crypto space. In 2023, Roman Storm faced conspiracy charges related to money laundering and sanctions violations due to his role in Tornado Cash operations. Recently, a New York jury found him guilty of operating an unlicensed money transmitter, with preparations underway for an appeal. The Ethereum Foundation has pledged to match donations up to $500,000 for Storm’s legal defense. 'Roman’s legal defense matters because builders need assurance that they can innovate while having community backing,' Fede's intern concluded.