Ethereum Core Developer Freed After 24-Hour Detention in Turkey Over Privacy Protocol Allegations
Federico Carrone, an Ethereum core developer known online as “Fede’s Intern,” has confirmed he is “safe and free” after being detained in Turkey for 24 hours over alleged involvement in the “misuse” of an Ethereum privacy protocol.
In an X post on Monday, Carrone revealed that he had been accused by Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs of “helping others misuse Ethereum,” which he believes is linked to a January 2022 research paper analyzing user privacy on Ethereum and Tornado Cash.
“We never helped anyone engage in illegal activity. It was purely research on mixers and their properties,” Carrone said.
I’m finally out, safe and free. There was a small moment were things looked very bad but thanks to help from many I got released. Sorry if I didn’t answer every message. I was in calls non stop the last 24 hours with too many people and I only slept two hours.
Yesterday I landed… https://t.co/d54KXELtbC pic.twitter.com/z1c39K1yAS
— Fede’s intern 🥊 (@fede_intern) August 11, 2025
Part of a Wider Crackdown on Privacy Protocol Developers
Carrone’s detention underscores a growing pattern of arrests targeting developers connected to open-source privacy tools, such as Tornado Cash co-founders Alexey Pertsev and Roman Storm. Storm is currently awaiting a verdict in a high-profile U.S. trial that could set a precedent for criminalizing open-source privacy protocols, with far-reaching consequences for DeFi innovation and digital privacy rights.
Release Secured Through Global Support
Carrone said that early in his detention, he was informed he would lose access to his phone and be unable to contact anyone. However, he credited his release to immediate intervention from friends and allies across the UAE, UK, US, Europe, Argentina, and even the Catholic Church, some of whom contacted senior Turkish officials on his behalf.
Members of the Solana ecosystem also offered assistance and provided contacts.
“I will never forget their help and hope to one day give back to everyone who supported me,” he wrote.
Now back in Europe, Carrone stressed that the case remains active, with his Turkish legal team still investigating the circumstances of his detention. He expressed willingness to return to Turkey once matters are clarified, saying he wants to “clear my name and defend ourselves.”
$500K ETH Donation to Roman Storm’s Legal Defense
In a show of solidarity, Carrone announced on Tuesday that he had donated $500,000 worth of Ether to support Roman Storm’s legal defense, citing the importance of protecting developers who drive blockchain innovation.
“Roman’s legal defense matters because builders everywhere need to know they can push innovation forward and that the community will stand behind them when they do,” Carrone stated.
