# Tornado Cash's Alexey Pertsev Sentenced to 5+ Years in Prison

*Author: David Christopher*
*Published: May 14, 2024*
*Source: https://www.bankless.com/de/tornado-cashs-alexey-pertsev-sentenced*

---

Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev was [convicted](https://uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl/details?id=ECLI:NL:RBOBR:2024:2069) on money laundering charges and sentenced to 64 months in prison by a Dutch court today.

### What's the scoop?
- **Sentence:** Pertsev, 31, was found guilty of laundering billions in crypto through Tornado Cash between 2019 and 2022, resulting in a sentence of five years and four months in prison.
- **Judicial Comment:** [One judge stated, “Tornado Cash](https://www.theblock.co/post/294322/tornado-cash-developer-found-guilty-alexey-pertsev-money-laundering-charges-to-serve-five-year-prison-sentence) in its nature and functioning is a tool intended for criminals.”
- **Broader Context:** Pertsev is not alone in facing legal action for developing Tornado Cash. The protocol’s co-founder, Roman Storm, is facing similar charges in the U.S — with a trial set for September in New York.
- **Appeal Window:** Pertsev’s legal team has 14 days to appeal the decision. 

### Bankless Take:
Pertsev's sentence sets plenty of dangerous precedents for both crypto and tech development broadly. While the Dutch courts seem to have made a number of leaps in ending up at this conviction that likely would not have gelled with U.S. law, his unjust conviction is the latest development in a global war on crypto protocols and developers. Just this week, [House Democrats introduced a bill](https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2024/05/07/crypto-mixers-targeted-in-us-house-democrats-effort-to-clamp-down-on-money-laundering/) in the U.S. targeting mixing services to combat money laundering. 

[A Sad Day for The Netherlands on BanklessDeveloper Alexey Pertsev was sentenced to prison over privacy software.![](https://www.bankless.com/assets/img/favicon/apple-touch-icon.png)BanklessRyan Sean Adams![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e4/b7/e4b77544-5a37-4f0b-8824-8440aa348476/content/images/2024/05/23c5e14f-4091-416f-befa-49e2b1251215.webp)](https://www.bankless.com/sad-day-for-netherlands-tornado-cash)