Dutch court sentences developer of crypto mixer used for North Korean laundering | NK News
July 16, 2024
News

Dutch court sentences developer of crypto mixer used for North Korean laundering

Ruling finds Tornado Cash founder responsible for how software is used, drawing criticism from open-source advocates

A Dutch court has sentenced a founder of a cryptocurrency laundering service used by North Korean cybercriminals to over five years in prison, finding that the Russian national “created a shortcut for financing crimes and terrorism.”

The ruling against 31-year-old Alexey Pertsev over his role in the development of Tornado Cash raised questions about developers’ responsibility when users abuse their software for criminal purposes, with some cryptocurrency advocates accusing the court of constraining access to privacy tools.

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