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Coinbase Faces Legal Battle Over Tornado Cash Funding

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According to reports, Coinbase\’s Chief Legal Officer, Paulgrewal. eth, tweeted that Coinbase had previously announced funding for a lawsuit filed by six individuals against Tornado

Coinbase Faces Legal Battle Over Tornado Cash Funding

According to reports, Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer, Paulgrewal. eth, tweeted that Coinbase had previously announced funding for a lawsuit filed by six individuals against Tornado Cash sanctioned by the US Treasury. The plaintiff has now submitted a summary judgment motion requesting the court to reopen Tornado Cash. The main arguments include: Tornado Cash is not a foreign national or “person”, but a software; According to the law, the government can only sanction one person’s property; Sanctions violate the First Amendment, etc.

Coinbase sponsored the plaintiff to submit a summary judgment motion regarding the US Treasury Department’s sanctions against Tornado Cash

As the world of cryptocurrency continues to grow, legal battles are becoming more common. The latest in the industry is the lawsuit filed by six individuals against Tornado Cash, which was supported by Coinbase. This case has sparked a debate on the appropriateness of cryptocurrency companies sponsoring legal actions.

Introduction

The world of cryptocurrency has been marked by a surge in legal battles in recent years, and the latest case involves Tornado Cash and Coinbase. The plaintiffs are pushing to reopen Tornado Cash, which was sanctioned by the US Treasury, and have submitted a summary judgment motion. The defendants argue Tornado Cash is simply software and that sanctions violate the First Amendment.

Background

According to reports, Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, tweeted that Coinbase had previously announced funding for the lawsuit filed by six individuals against Tornado Cash, which was sanctioned by the US Treasury. The case was filed in June 2020, and the plaintiffs are seeking to have Tornado Cash reopened.
Tornado Cash is a decentralized, privacy-preserving Ethereum mixer. The mixer makes it difficult for users to trace transactions that use it. The US Treasury, however, sanctioned Tornado Cash as a “foreign national” for enabling transactions of illicit funds.

The Plaintiffs’ Arguments

The plaintiffs in this case have presented several arguments in their summary judgment motion. First, they argue that Tornado Cash is not a foreign national or “person,” but a software. According to the law, the government can only sanction one person’s property, not an entire ecosystem.
Second, the plaintiffs contend that sanctions violate the First Amendment. They argue that the government is attempting to regulate speech through the sanctions placed on Tornado Cash. Additionally, the plaintiffs argue that the sanctions set a dangerous precedent for the regulation of the cryptocurrency industry.

The Defendants’ Arguments

On the other hand, the defendants in the case argue that the sanctions placed on Tornado Cash were necessary to combat illicit activities on the blockchain. They argue that Tornado Cash was used to launder money and finance terrorism, a claim that the plaintiffs deny.
Additionally, the defendants argue that the regulations placed on Tornado Cash are not violating the First Amendment because sanctions are not considered “speech.” They argue that the government has a compelling interest in enforcing financial laws and can do so through sanctions.

Coinbase’s Role in the Legal Battle

The involvement of Coinbase in this legal case has sparked a debate on the appropriateness of cryptocurrency companies sponsoring legal actions. Many have criticized Coinbase’s decision to provide funding for a lawsuit seeking to fight sanctions against a product that some argue is used for illicit activities.
Coinbase has defended its decision by stating that it supports the development of innovative technologies, including privacy and decentralized finance. The company argues that sanctions should not be used as a means of stifling innovation in the cryptocurrency industry.

Conclusion

The legal battle over Tornado Cash and the sanctions placed on it by the US Treasury has sparked a debate concerning the regulation of the cryptocurrency industry. The plaintiffs and defendants have presented compelling arguments, and the outcome of this case remains uncertain.
Cryptocurrency companies such as Coinbase will continue to play an integral role in shaping the regulations surrounding this industry. The decisions made in this case could set a precedent for future regulation and highlight the challenges of balancing privacy and security in the digital age.
# FAQs
1. What is Tornado Cash?
Tornado Cash is a decentralized, privacy-preserving Ethereum mixer that makes it difficult for users to trace transactions.
2. Why was Tornado Cash sanctioned by the US Treasury?
The US Treasury sanctioned Tornado Cash as a “foreign national” for enabling transactions of illicit funds, such as laundering money and financing terrorism.
3. What is the debate surrounding Coinbase’s involvement?
Coinbase’s sponsorship of the legal case has sparked a debate on the appropriateness of cryptocurrency companies funding legal actions against sanctions, especially for products used for illicit activities.

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