DOJ states that he will not chase crypt developers who write code “without bad intentions”

By Hannah Pérez

“Writing code without bad intentions is not a crime,” said an official of the US Department of Justice., Committing to a less punitive approach for the cryptocurrency industry by the agency.

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• The US Department of Justice promises less punitive for crypto.
• “Writing code without bad intentions is not a crime,” said a government official.
• The comments mark a position change with respect to the previous Biden policy.
• Previously, the DOJ pursued Crypto developers, including those of Tornado Cash.

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In a statement that marks a significant change in the position of American prosecutors towards the cryptocurrency industry, Matthew Galeotti, an interim general sub -process of the criminal division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), said Thursday that Thursday “Writing code without bad intention is not a crime”

During an event organized by the newly created ‘American Innovation Project’ in Wyoming, Galeotti emphasized that the DOJ will not chase software developers who create decentralized cryptocurrency platforms, as long as there are no criminal intentions such as money laundering.

This position comes amid concerns in the crypto community after recent convictions. Galeotti referred directly to the Federal Statute used in cases such as Roman Storm, developer of Tornado cashwho was convicted this month in a trial in New York for operating a money transmission business without a license.

The US Treasury Department sanctioned the computer code of Tornado cash In 2022, claiming that the protocol had facilitated billions of dollars in money laundering transactions North Korean hackers. While this sanction was built this year, charges against decentralized mixer developers remained.

According to the official, the DOJ will not apply charges under Code 18 USC 1960 –which was used in the case of Storm– In scenarios where the software is “truly decentralized”And automate transactions between peers without third -party control over user assets. Although he clarified that there could be other positions in case there is a criminal intention.

Similarly, Galeotti mentioned the cautious approach of the department after the guilt agreement of the developers of Samourai Walletwho declared themselves guilty of conspiracy to operate a business transmission business without license, –a lower load than they had originally faced.

“We will not use accusations as a tool to make laws“ Galeotti insisted, citing a memorandum issued in April by General Subproverter Todd Blanche, who dissolved the National Team for Cryptocurrency Compliance and promised a less punitive approach under the administration of Donald Trump.

The DOJ had affirmed in that memorandum that would not seek litigation or positions that superimposed “Regulatory frameworks on digital assets while the actual regulators of President Trump do this work outside the punitive framework of criminal justice. ”

“Neutral tools developers without criminal intention should not be responsible for the misuse of third parties“, Galeotti concluded, aligning with legislative efforts in Congress to safeguard the sphere software creators Blockchain.

The industry celebrated words as an advance, although groups such as Defi Education Fund recalled that permanent legislation is needed to protect innovators.

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Article written with the help of AI, edited by Diariobitcoin

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