DOJ: Writing Code Is Not a Crime for Crypto Developers

DOJ: Writing Blockchain Code Is Not a Crime Without Malicious Intent

According to CoinDesk, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced it does not intend to prosecute blockchain software developers without criminal intent. Matthew Galliotti, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Criminal Division, stated at a conference in Wyoming that “writing code is not a crime without a criminal intent.” He emphasized that the prosecution will not be used as a tool for regulation.

This stance comes after recent cases against developers such as Roman Storm (Tornado Cash) and the team behind Samurai Wallet. Galliotti stated that prosecution would only occur if there is evidence of the defendant’s awareness and intentional violation of the law. He added that if a software is truly decentralized and only automates peer-to-peer transactions, the developer will not be held responsible for the misuse by others.

The remarks, which were welcomed by crypto advocates, are seen as an attempt to restore community confidence and reduce concerns about the ambiguous legal environment created during the previous administration.