Ethereum Developer Released Following Detention in Turkey Over Privacy Protocol Research

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Ethereum core developer Federico Carrone has been released after 24 hours in detention by Turkish authorities. The developer, known as "Fede's Intern" in the community, was detained based on allegations connecting him to an Ethereum privacy protocol. According to reports, Turkish authorities, including the Minister of Internal Affairs, accused Carrone of assisting others in misusing Ethereum technology.

Upon his release, Carrone clarified that the accusations likely stemmed from his academic research published in January 2022, which examined user privacy on Ethereum and the Tornado Cash protocol. He emphasized the purely academic nature of his work, which focused on analyzing mixers and their technical properties rather than facilitating illegal activities. Following his release, Carrone demonstrated solidarity with others facing similar legal challenges by donating $500,000 worth of Ether (ETH) to support Roman Storm's legal defense fund, highlighting the growing concern about legal actions against crypto developers in the space.

The detention underscores a troubling trend in the cryptocurrency industry regarding developers associated with open-source privacy tools. This case parallels the ongoing high-profile trial in New York involving Tornado Cash co-creators Alexey Pertsev and Roman Storm, which could establish precedent for the criminalization of open-source privacy tools in the United States. Turkey, which has established strict regulatory frameworks for crypto assets including comprehensive Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) rules for service providers, appears to be extending scrutiny to developers as well. Despite having relocated to Europe, Carrone's case remains unresolved as his Turkish attorney continues working on his defense. The developer has expressed his willingness to return to Turkey if necessary to clear his name and defend himself against the allegations, reflecting the challenging legal landscape facing privacy-focused blockchain developers.

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