Dragonfly, a venture capital firm, revealed that the U.S. government is weighing potential charges related to its 2020 investment in PepperSec, the developer of Tornado Cash. Managing partner Haseeb Qureshi called the prospect ‘outrageous,’ stating the firm secured legal confirmation that Tornado Cash complied with FinCEN guidance before investing. The case follows setbacks in the prosecution of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm and ongoing regulatory scrutiny of crypto privacy tools. Dragonfly emphasized it had no operational role in Tornado Cash and complied fully with a DOJ subpoena. The firm warned that targeting investors could stifle venture funding for blockchain innovation. The Treasury’s OFAC sanctioned Tornado Cash in 2022, but court challenges later forced adjustments to the sanctions.
about Dragonfly Faces Charges Over Tornado Cash InvestmentTom Schmidt
0 posts last weekEthereum’s Leadership Crisis and the Future of Crypto Regulation
Ethereum faces mounting internal and external criticism over its leadership and innovation pace, with calls for a more aggressive growth strategy amid rising competition from Solana, Base, and Tron. Justin Sun’s controversial L2 taxation proposal has sparked debates about Ethereum’s ecosystem, while Vitalik Buterin’s embrace of the Milady NFT movement signals a cultural shift. The exit of Gary Gensler from the SEC has been met with relief in the crypto community, as he returns to academia, leaving questions about future regulatory landscapes.
about Ethereum's Leadership Crisis and the Future of Crypto RegulationCrypto Regulation Insights and Crowdsale Dynamics in 2024
In the latest episode of The Chopping Block, hosts Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner delve into the FDIC’s alleged vendetta against the crypto industry, fueled by whistleblower claims and newly unredacted FOIA documents. They explore the rise of Echo as a crowdsale platform, its competition with CoinList, and the dynamics of token distribution, while scrutinizing regulatory agencies and the tension between venture capitalists and crowdsale platforms. The discussion also touches on community engagement strategies and a recap of 2024 podcast stats, alongside early predictions for 2025 trends.
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