- DOJ revises its stance on charging developers for coding without criminal intent.
- The shift affects laws concerning digital assets and decentralization.
- Potential to renew interest in privacy and open-source projects.
Matthew Galeotti, acting Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ Criminal Division, announced at the American Innovation Project summit that charges against Roman Storm will not be pursued as of August 21, 2025.
This shift by the DOJ aligns with industry demands and may encourage innovation in open-source development, impacting decentralized projects positively.
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Matthew Galeotti, acting Assistant Attorney General, announced a policy shift regarding Roman Storm’s indictment. The Department of Justice will no longer pursue developers who write open-source code without criminal intent to aid illegal activities, marking a significant revision in their approach.
The main parties involved include Roman Storm, a Tornado Cash co-founder, and Galeotti from the DOJ. The DOJ’s new stance emphasizes intent and actual custodial control, potentially easing legal pressures on developers. This marks a response to industry criticisms and calls for developer protections.
The announcement impacts privacy-enhancing projects and open-source development, encouraging a possible shift towards renewed innovation. Communities that previously faced legal uncertainties may experience a more welcoming regulatory climate. The broader crypto market awaits further details on policy implementations.
Financial implications could include stabilizing token values previously affected by adverse regulatory actions. The DOJ’s policy shift may reassure investors and developers, fostering a supportive environment for decentralized finance and technology, allowing innovation in privacy protocols to potentially recover.
Matthew Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General, DOJ Criminal Division – “If a developer merely contributes code to an open-source project without the specific intent to assist criminal conduct, aid or abet a particular crime, or join a criminal conspiracy, he or she is not criminally liable.” Cointelegraph
