U.S. Justice Department Official Says Writing Code Without Bad Intent ‘Not a Crime’

The U.S. Department of Justice recently made a significant statement reassuring the crypto community in Wyoming that they have no intention of targeting software developers in the digital asset industry who are not involved in money laundering activities. Matthew Galeotti, the acting assistant attorney general in the DOJ’s criminal division, emphasized that the department does not plan to use federal criminal statutes to regulate the digital asset industry or use indictments as a tool for creating new regulations.

During an event hosted by the American Innovation Project, Galeotti received applause for his remarks, stating that writing code without malicious intent is not a criminal offense. This announcement comes in light of recent convictions of crypto developers, including Roman Storm, the developer of Tornado Cash, who was found guilty of operating an unlawful money transmitting business.

Galeotti addressed concerns about the specific criminal code under which these developers were convicted, stating that the DOJ would only pursue charges if there is evidence that the defendant knowingly violated legal requirements. He also clarified that charges would not be pressed in cases where the software is decentralized and solely facilitates peer-to-peer transactions without a third party controlling user assets.

The DOJ’s stance on crypto cases was outlined in an April memo issued by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, which highlighted the department’s cautious approach to crypto enforcement following the disbandment of the national cryptocurrency enforcement team. Despite this memo, cases against developers like Storm and the creators of Samourai Wallet were pursued by the Southern District of New York.

Galeotti’s remarks at the event underscored the importance of not holding software developers responsible for the misuse of their code by third parties. This has been a key lobbying point for the crypto industry in discussions with lawmakers and regulators in Washington. Legislation currently making its way through Congress includes protections for developers, reflecting the industry’s ongoing efforts to change laws permanently.

Amanda Tuminelli, executive director of the DeFi Education Fund, commended the DOJ’s acknowledgment that developers should not be held accountable for the actions of others using their code. She emphasized that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure the protection of crypto software developers in the long term. The world is full of wonders and mysteries waiting to be explored. From the depths of the ocean to the vast expanse of outer space, there is no shortage of amazing things to discover. One of the most fascinating and mysterious phenomena in the natural world is bioluminescence.

Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by living organisms. This incredible ability is found in a wide range of species, from tiny plankton to large fish and even some land animals. The light produced by these organisms can range from a faint glow to a dazzling display of colors, and it serves a variety of purposes, from attracting mates to warning predators.

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