Ethereum Ecosystem Unites: Industry Leaders Rally for Developer Rights in Landmark Tornado Cash Case
In a watershed moment for cryptocurrency regulation and developer rights, 66 prominent blockchain organizations including Coinbase, Block, and the Solana Foundation have launched a unified campaign demanding the dismissal of charges against Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm. The coalition's formal letter dated November 20, 2025, represents one of the most significant industry mobilizations in recent history, framing the prosecution as a fundamental threat to software development and innovation within the Ethereum ecosystem. This collective action underscores the growing tension between regulatory enforcement and technological innovation, with industry heavyweights arguing that targeting developers for the use of their open-source tools sets a dangerous precedent that could stifle blockchain advancement globally. The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate about privacy tools in decentralized finance, with implications that could reshape how developers approach building on Ethereum and other blockchain platforms. As the industry awaits regulatory response, this unified stance demonstrates the maturation of cryptocurrency advocacy and the sector's determination to establish clear legal boundaries that protect innovation while addressing legitimate regulatory concerns.
65+ Crypto Groups Urge Trump to Drop Charges Against Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm
A coalition of 66 cryptocurrency organizations, including industry heavyweights like Coinbase, Block, and the solana Foundation, has demanded the dismissal of charges against Roman Storm, co-founder of privacy tool Tornado Cash. The groups sent a formal letter on November 20, 2025, framing the prosecution as an attack on software development and calling for immediate regulatory clarity.
Storm was convicted on August 6, 2025, for operating an unlicensed money transmitter but avoided conviction on more serious money laundering and sanctions charges. The case centers on whether developers bear responsibility for how their code is used—prosecutors allege Tornado Cash processed over $1 billion for criminals including North Korean hackers, while defenders argue Storm merely created neutral technology.
With sentencing scheduled for December 18, 2025, the crypto industry has mounted one of its largest coordinated responses since the Trump administration took office. The outcome could set critical precedents for developer liability and the future of privacy-focused protocols in the ethereum ecosystem.
BitMine Bets on Staking with MAVAN Platform Amid Ethereum Downturn
Ethereum's price slump below $2,700 has sent shockwaves through crypto markets, leaving major holders like BitMEX nursing billions in unrealized losses. The firm is pivoting to staking as a lifeline, unveiling MAVAN—a proprietary platform set to launch in 2026. Developed with three undisclosed technical partners, the solution aims to monetize idle ETH holdings.
BitMEX President Tom Lee framed the MOVE as strategic: "While off-the-shelf staking options exist, we're building the optimal infrastructure for our native ETH positions." The initiative signals a broader institutional shift toward yield generation as asset prices stagnate.
Ethereum Price Prediction: ETH Could Target $2,800-$3,000 Zone as ETF Flows Stabilize
Ether's price appears poised for a rebound toward the $2,800-$3,000 resistance zone after finding support near $2,625—a five-month low driven by ETF outflows and macro uncertainty. The November 21 net inflow of $55.7 million into U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs, led by Fidelity's FBETH, suggests institutional sentiment may be cautiously improving.
Market dynamics remain mixed. BlackRock's ETHA ETF recorded a $53.7 million outflow on the same day, reflecting divergent positioning among major players. Analysts note that sustained ETF inflows could provide the liquidity foundation needed for ETH to retest higher levels, though dollar strength and labor market concerns linger as headwinds.
Ethereum Whale Accumulation Signals Institutional Confidence Amid Price Consolidation
Ethereum's price action remains in a tight consolidation range NEAR $2,717.79 as whale activity reaches notable levels. A single entity acquired 114,684 ETH ($314 million) within 48 hours, bringing total holdings to 489,696 ETH ($1.34 billion). This accumulation pattern suggests institutional players are positioning for Ethereum's long-term growth trajectory, particularly with upcoming network upgrades.
Technical indicators paint a mixed picture. The asset trades below key moving averages, maintaining bearish pressure, while the $2,800 resistance level looms as critical overhead supply. Market participants appear cautiously optimistic—the substantial whale purchase failed to move markets significantly, implying either latent buying pressure or measured accumulation strategies.
Ethereum's centrality to decentralized finance ecosystems continues attracting sophisticated capital. The whale's billion-dollar position reinforces ETH's status as institutional-grade crypto infrastructure, though retail sentiment remains tempered by short-term technical headwinds.
Malicious Chrome Extension Poses as Ethereum Wallet to Steal Seed Phrases
A fraudulent Chrome extension masquerading as an Ethereum wallet managed to infiltrate the Chrome Web Store's top search results in November. Dubbed 'Safery: ethereum Wallet,' the malicious software boasted a polished interface, generic branding, and fabricated five-star reviews to appear legitimate. Its true purpose was to harvest seed phrases and drain user wallets, encoding stolen data into micro-transactions on the sui blockchain.
Security firm Socket dissected the attack, revealing how the extension evaded detection while climbing store rankings. Unlike typical phishing attempts that mimic established wallets like MetaMask, Safery invented its own identity—a tactic that underscores the evolving sophistication of crypto threats. Browser extensions remain a critical vulnerability for digital asset holders.
