Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev appeals conviction

Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev has appealed his conviction in the Netherlands on money laundering charges.

Pertsev filed an appeal with the s-Hertogenbosch Court of Appeal, a spokesperson for the court told The Block. However, they did not confirm if the appeal had been approved, and it could take several months before any such hearing takes place.

The Block reached out to Pertsev’s legal team for comment.

Pertsev sentenced to 64 months

Pertsev was sentenced to 64 months in prison by a Dutch court on Tuesday for facilitating $1.2 billion in money laundering through the crypto mixer between July 2019 and August 2022.

Pertsev was escorted to prison immediately following the verdict but could request to await an appeal trial at home.

Tornado Cash is a decentralized protocol designed to enhance transaction privacy on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing users to make anonymous transfers.

While private financial transactions are not inherently illegal, platforms like Tornado Cash have been abused by some users for money laundering purposes.

One of the judges reportedly characterized Tornado Cash as primarily a tool for criminal activity, highlighting the legal perspective that influenced Pertsev’s conviction.

Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm also faces similar charges in the U.S. for his role in shepherding the software’s development, with a trial set for September.

Updated with confirmation from the s-Hertogenbosch Court of Appeal.