Ethereum Privacy Tools Strengthened as Court Rules Against OFAC in Tornado Cash Case

In a landmark decision on April 28, 2025, United States District Judge Robert Pitman ruled in favor of Tornado Cash, prohibiting the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) from enforcing sanctions against the cryptocurrency mixer. This ruling marks a significant victory for decentralized finance (DeFi) and privacy tools within the Ethereum ecosystem, reinforcing the importance of financial privacy in the digital asset space. The court’s decision challenges the U.S. Treasury’s authority over decentralized protocols, setting a precedent that could shape future regulatory approaches to privacy-focused technologies. As Ethereum continues to evolve, this development underscores the growing tension between regulatory oversight and the foundational principles of blockchain technology. The outcome is expected to bolster confidence in Ethereum-based privacy solutions, potentially driving increased adoption and innovation in the DeFi sector.

Tornado Cash vs OFAC Update: Court Bars Treasury from Reinstating Sanctions

A federal court has delivered a landmark ruling in favor of Tornado Cash, dealing a blow to the U.S. Treasury’s efforts to sanction the cryptocurrency mixer. The decision marks a pivotal moment for decentralized finance and privacy tools in the digital asset space.

United States District Judge Robert Pitman’s April 28 ruling prohibits the Office of Foreign Assets Control from enforcing its original sanctions against the mixing service. The case has been closely watched as a bellwether for regulatory overreach in crypto.

While the victory strengthens privacy protections in Web3, concerns persist about illicit actors exploiting mixing services. The tension between financial transparency and blockchain’s foundational privacy principles continues to shape regulatory debates worldwide.

Ethereum Drops EOF from Fusaka Upgrade, Targets Q3 2025 Launch

Ethereum’s Fusaka upgrade, now slated for Q3–Q4 2025, will proceed without the EVM Object Format (EOF). Developers abandoned the feature due to technical complexities and timeline risks, prioritizing PeerDAS implementation instead.

The decision emerged from consensus during ACDE 34 discussions, led by CORE developers Tim Beiko and Tomasz Kajetan Stańczak. Fusaka represents Ethereum’s continued evolution, with the community opting for streamlined execution over ambitious feature bloat.

Ethereum Foundation Restructures Leadership to Enhance Operational Focus

The Ethereum Foundation has implemented a significant leadership overhaul, separating management and board responsibilities to streamline operations. Hsiao-Wei Wang and Tomasz K. Stańczak will serve as co-executive directors, supported by Bastian Aue and Josh Stark in strategic execution roles.

Daily operations now fall under the management team’s purview, while the board—including Vitalik Buterin and Aya Miyaguchi—focuses on long-term vision and compliance. Buterin will provide technical guidance, reinforcing Ethereum’s position as a leader in smart contract platforms.

MetaMask to Launch Self-Custody Crypto Card with Mastercard and Baanx

MetaMask is set to revolutionize crypto payments through a partnership with Mastercard and Baanx. The collaboration will introduce a metal payment card enabling users to spend directly from their self-custody wallets without preloading or converting assets. A global rollout is slated for Q2 2025.

The card leverages smart contract technology to validate transactions on-chain at the point of sale, maintaining user control until payment completion. This eliminates the friction of traditional crypto debit cards, which often require asset conversion or pre-funding.

CompoSecure, a leading payment card manufacturer, will produce the physical cards. The initiative marks a significant step toward mainstream crypto adoption by bridging decentralized finance with conventional payment infrastructure.