Tornado Cash, an open-source privacy tool used by many cryptocurrency owners, has fallen foul of Treasury sanctions. The plaintiffs are now challenging these sanctions, arguing they’re being applied incorrectly. Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase, has provided some clarity on the ongoing legal tussle between Tornado Cash and the U.S. Treasury in his Twitter thread.
In their legal challenge to sanctions imposed by the US Treasury against Tornado Cash, the plaintiffs have filed their reply brief seeking to lift these designations. It’s worth a read. 1/7 https://t.co/T07QCzQ9Ru
— paulgrewal.eth (@iampaulgrewal) May 24, 2023
All the four arguments outlined by Grewal essentially point towards one central issue: the government’s attempt to apply a property sanctions statute to open-source software, which, according to the plaintiffs, is a misuse of the law. Is it feasible or even valid to apply traditional property law to a decentralized, blockchain-based system?
Fourfold arguments against sanctions
“The plaintiffs make 4 points here, but they all come down to the same problem. The Govt. is trying to ban the use of open-source software using a property sanctions statute. Because this isn’t what the law was meant to do, they can’t make the law fit this case.” Paul Grewal
The challenge to these sanctions centers on four key points. Firstly, they argue that owning Tornado Cash’s digital token (TORN) doesn’t necessarily make one a member of the entity “Tornado Cash.” In other words, just because you own the token, doesn’t mean you’re part of the organization.
Secondly, the challenge questions whether these open-source, immutable smart contracts are “property” in the legal sense. Traditional law says property is something that can be owned, controlled, or changed – but these smart contracts can’t be.
Thirdly, the plaintiffs assert that neither the founders, developers, nor TORN token holders have a ‘property interest’ in these smart contracts. It’s like saying you can use a public park, but you can’t claim to own it.
Finally, they argue that by sanctioning Tornado Cash, the government is essentially impinging on free speech rights. Users of Tornado Cash use the software to protect their privacy while making important donations – actions that are protected by the First Amendment.
Also, read – TORN Token Surges 10% Amid Attack Reversal Proposal
Cryptocurrency needs basic legal requirements
Grewal also clarified that the plaintiffs are not demanding special rules for cryptocurrency, as suggested by the government. They are only seeking that the government meets the basic legal prerequisites that Congress outlined before restricting access to a privacy tool that protects legal purchases and donations.
This legal battle raises some thought-provoking questions. Should traditional property law apply to open-source digital assets? Can ownership be defined in the world of decentralized technology? And does protecting digital privacy fall under the First Amendment? Only time will reveal the answers!
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Qadir AK
Qadir Ak is the founder of Coinpedia. He has over a decade of experience writing about technology and has been covering the blockchain and cryptocurrency space since 2010. He has also interviewed a few prominent experts within the cryptocurrency space.
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Coinbase’s recent addition of Tornado Cash to its Coinbase Custody platform has caused a stir among cryptocurrency investors. The privacy-centric Ethereum-based project was added alongside traditional U.S. Treasury bonds, which offer a unique set of advantages, but also a unique set of risks. In this article, we will discuss the differences between Tornado Cash and U.S. Treasury bonds, and how Coinbase’s Coinbase Custody platform provides the clarity necessary to make an informed decision.
Tornado Cash is a platform designed to offer users enhanced privacy in their cryptocurrency transactions. It allows users to securely transfer Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens without revealing their identity through complicated cryptographic techniques. This makes it attractive to those looking for a higher level of privacy in their transactions, especially compared to traditional centralized exchanges.
In contrast, U.S. Treasury bonds are secure investments, backed by the U.S. federal government. By investing in Treasury bonds, investors are not only assured of security, but also of a low rate of return. This makes Treasury bonds appealing to those looking for a low-risk, low-volatility investment option.
Coinbase’s Coinbase Custody provides investors the ability to invest in both of these types of assets with equal confidence and security. Since Coinbase Custody is a secure platform, investors are assured their assets are protected from theft or other malicious activities. Additionally, Coinbase’s regulatory compliance means that investors can be sure their investments are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
In conclusion, Coinbase Custody provides an ideal platform for investors looking to invest in both Tornado Cash and U.S. Treasury bonds. Coinbase’s Custody platform is secure and compliant, providing investors the clarity and confidence they need to make an informed decision as to which asset is right for them.
