The Blockchain Association is firmly determined to protect citizens' rights to use neutral tools for their financial transactions. In a new court filing dated on Wednesday, the crypto policy advocates extended their support for six Tornado Cash users who have sued the US government for sanctioning the crypto mix service in September 2022.
The six claimants, referred to as Van Loon et al, claimed that the governments' action infringed their constitutional rights and threatened the ability of Americans to make financial transactions freely and secretly. The amicus brief filed by the Blockchain Association backed the complaint of Van Loon et al and stated that the crypto mixing service should not be held as illegal simply because it is accessible to bad actors. Kristin Smith, CEO of Blockchain Association, commented that one should consider Tornado Cash as an autonomous, decentralized software which should not be sanctioned by OFAC, but instead the people committing the crime should be held accountable.
Treasury claims that Tornado Cash was used to launder over $100 million worth of cryptocurrencies trafficked in the midst of 2022 hacks. The plaintiffs however, argued that OFAC has no right to exercise its authority as it is a decentralized, open source software. Moreover, they declared that using such services to cloak crypto transaction and donations is legally permissible as citizens have the right to seclusion and security in their financial deals.
The amicus brief highlighted that users employ privacy-building tools like Tornado Cash to preserve the secrets of their financial information. This type of tools allows people to keep the benefits that accrue from using the blockchain technology, while allowing them to enjoy their right to privacy.
A pretrial conference has been scheduled to be held on 23 April 2023, when all respective lawyers will be present. The arguments stated in the Blockchain Association amicus brief clearly show that the group is unwavering in its commitment to protect citizens' right to privacy and security in their financial transactions.
Liam Smith
- 2023-04-12
Blockchain Association Stands with Citizens on US Sanction Against Crypto Mixer
The Blockchain Association has recently extended its support for six claimants who have sued the US government for sanctioning crypto mixing service in September 2022. The crypto policy advocates backed the complaint of the claimants and stated that the crypto mixing service should not be held as illegal simply.
