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The Tornado Cash state of affairs is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. Why did the OFAC sanction a chunk of software program? And why did Dutch authorities arrest a sole developer? Those should not the query we’ll reply at present. The OFAC up to date the frequently asked questions on Tornado Cash-related issues. The solutions give attention to the main points of the sanctions and never on the massive questions.

We’ll take them, although. They’re entertaining and illuminating, simply as the entire Tornado Cash state of affairs is. 

The OFAC Clarifies Tornado Cash Sanctions

In yesterday’s replace of the OFAC’s FAQ, Tornado Cash was the subject of selection. The US Government enabled a form to file licensing requests and introduced that customers can get better funds :

“For transactions involving Tornado Cash that were initiated prior to its designation on August 8, 2022 but not completed by the date of designation, U.S. persons or persons conducting transactions within U.S. jurisdiction may request a specific license from OFAC to engage in transactions involving the subject virtual currency.  U.S. persons should be prepared to provide, at a minimum, all relevant information regarding these transactions with Tornado Cash, including the wallet addresses for the remitter and beneficiary, transaction hashes, the date and time of the transaction(s), as well as the amount(s) of virtual currency.”

So, there’s hope for frozen funds if the consumer is prepared to undergo just a few hops and KYC-like procedures. It’s not good, however we’ll qualify it as excellent news. Another one which looks as if excellent news, the OFAC is not going to prioritize something that has to do with dusting.

“OFAC is aware of reports following the designation of Tornado Cash that certain U.S. persons may have received unsolicited and nominal amounts of virtual currency or other virtual assets from Tornado Cash, a practice commonly referred to as “dusting.”  Technically, OFAC’s laws would apply to those transactions.”

That’s all positive and dandy, nevertheless, dusting nonetheless casts a shadow over the entire operation. There’s no method of figuring out if some accounts had been dusted or if the proprietor took benefit of the state of affairs to launder his or her Tornado Cash funds. Still, in some circumstances, the OFAC ignoring the dusting will avoid wasting wallets and accounts.

ETH value chart for 09/14/2022 on Gemini | Source: ETH/USD on TradingView.com

These Actions Aren’t Prohibited

Make no mistake, “U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions involving Tornado Cash, including through the virtual currency wallet addresses that OFAC has identified.” However, “interacting with open-source code itself, in a way that does not involve a prohibited transaction with Tornado Cash, is not prohibited.” This looks as if a trivial matter, but it surely renders irrelevant among the protests towards the Tornado Cash sanctions:

“For example, U.S. persons would not be prohibited by U.S. sanctions regulations from copying the open-source code and making it available online for others to view, as well as discussing, teaching about, or including open-source code in written publications, such as textbooks, absent additional facts.  Similarly, U.S. persons would not be prohibited by U.S. sanctions regulations from visiting the Internet archives for the Tornado Cash historical website, nor would they be prohibited from visiting the Tornado Cash website if it again becomes active on the Internet.”

Is every part clear now? Not an opportunity. New questions concerning the sanctions hold rising, the state of affairs is extra fascinating than ever. And now, we all know that every one funds should not misplaced and that dusting is not going to be prosecuted. Why is the OFAC focusing on a wise contract? The reply to that one isn’t clear but. And neither is the rationale for the lone developer’s arrest. 

Baby steps. 

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