Argentine Crypto Dev Freed in Turkey After Shock Ethereum Misuse Allegations

Argentine blockchain developer freed in Turkey after Ethereum misuse allegations linked to Tornado Cash research.

Fridah Kangai
August 13, 2025
12:15 pm

Fridah Kangai

Fridah Kangai is a dedicated crypto journalist with a sharp eye for market trends, blockchain innovation, and digital asset movements. She specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging stories for both seasoned investors and curious newcomers. With a passion for decentralization and a pulse on the ever-evolving crypto space, Fridah delivers timely, accurate, and insightful coverage. Her work bridges the gap between technology and everyday understanding in the world of cryptocurrency.

Argentine developer freed after Turkish detention over Ethereum misuse.
Case linked to Tornado Cash research sparks crypto community concern.
$500,000 pledged to Roman Storm’s legal defense after release.

Authorities in Izmir, Turkey, freed an Argentine blockchain developer known as “Fede’s intern” after detaining him over alleged Ethereum misuse. In his posts on X, he confirmed that he is now “safe and free” following the release.

He added that Turkish officials, including the Minister of Interior, blamed him for assisting other people in misusing Ethereum. Although he did not provide all the details, he said that his legal team and crypto community members are supporting him.

I’m finally out, safe and free. There was a small moment were things looked very bad but thanks to help from many I got released. Sorry if I didn’t answer every message. I was in calls non stop the last 24 hours with too many people and I only slept two hours.

Yesterday I landed… https://t.co/d54KXELtbC pic.twitter.com/z1c39K1yAS
— Fede’s intern 🥊 (@fede_intern) August 11, 2025

He said that he had come to Izmir to meet with builders, friends, and local businessmen on a DeFi project. However, police arrested him at passport control and told him that he was not allowed to enter the country.

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Allegations Tied to Past Tornado Cash Research

His lawyer told “Fede’s intern” that his case was connected to a protocol of privacy, but he did not specify which one. According to him, the situation dated back to the arrest of Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev.

His team had, by that point, published research and code demonstrating how to deanonymize Tornado Cash users. He emphasized that they neither created privacy features nor facilitated illegal activity, but they researched mixers and the properties they had.

After his release, he offered a half-million dollars towards the legal defense of Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm. His involvement in Lambda Class began with a planned donation of $50,000, but he later decided to donate more following his experience in Turkey.

Storm was recently convicted in the United States of conspiracy to commit money laundering and of being an unlicensed money transmitter. His lawyers intend to appeal the ruling, and the Ethereum Foundation has said it will match donations of up to half a million dollars to fund his defense.

Ongoing Concerns Over Crypto Privacy Cases

“Fede’s intern” stressed that defending Storm is vital for developers to feel secure advancing blockchain innovation and maintaining open-source principles. He is still working with his legal team to fully comprehend the allegations and resolve them.

The developer’s release is an exit from a tense episode, but the legal issues related to privacy research on blockchain are still open.

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