TORN Spikes by 13% as Tornado Cash Developer Gains Freedom

Alexey Pertsev, the Tornado Cash developer convicted of money laundering, has gained temporary freedom today, February 7, to prepare for his appeal. 

The decision follows a Dutch court’s suspension of his pretrial detention, permitting him to work on his case under electronic monitoring. For context, Pertsev received a 64-month sentence in May 2024. The prosecutors accused him of facilitating illicit money transfers through Tornado Cash, a platform designed for token mixing to ensure user privacy. 

Meanwhile, Pertsev’s release marks a reprieve in his legal battle, allowing him to focus on his appeal. While he will remain under electronic surveillance, his freedom outside the prison walls gives him an opportunity to continue his defense. 

Dear Friends, on Friday 7 February at 10 am I will be free! It is not real freedom, but it is better than prison. Today, a Dutch court suspended my pretrial detention under the condition of electronic monitoring. This will give me a chance to work on my appeal and fight for…

— Alexey Pertsev (@alex_pertsev) February 6, 2025

His conviction for facilitating money laundering through Tornado Cash has been contentious. Pertsev has consistently denied involvement in illicit transactions, stating that he was unaware of illegal activities on the platform.

Tornado Cash’s Market Response 

Meanwhile, the release of Pertsev has sparked positive momentum for Tornado Cash’s governance token, TORN, which surged in value. In particular, TORN posted a 12.92% gain today but still trades with an 11% decline in its weekly performance.

This fluctuation highlights a market grappling with mixed sentiment surrounding the ongoing legal battle and its potential outcomes.

The surge in TORN’s price also follows a significant legal victory for Tornado Cash earlier in 2024. A U.S. Appeals Court reversed sanctions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) after a group of Tornado Cash users filed an appeal challenging the validity of these sanctions.

The decision led to a dramatic rise in the token’s value, reaching an increase of more than 116%. This legal success influenced market sentiment, resulting in renewed interest in the project.

Ultimately, Tornado Cash remains a controversial platform known for its ability to obscure the origin of crypto transactions, raising concerns over its potential use in illegal activities, such as money laundering.