2026-01-21 13:23:16

Regarding the legal risks faced by software developers in the crypto space, industry voices are growing louder. Kristin Smith, head of the Solana Policy Research Institute, and CEO Miller Whitehouse-Levine recently issued a joint statement, stating that the guilty verdict against the co-founder of a well-known mixing tool is not an isolated incident but a reflection of systemic issues.

In their open letter, they raised an urgent issue: U.S. legislators need to establish more comprehensive legal protections for developers as soon as possible. The current legal framework poses too great a risk for technical personnel, and this situation is creating a chilling effect that impacts the entire industry's innovation momentum.

Interestingly, the industry’s attitude toward this case is very consistent—crypto advocates have already raised millions of dollars for the appeal. This money not only represents support for the individual case but also reflects the community’s shared concern for the protection of developers’ rights.

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SmartContractWorker

· 8h ago

Really, developers are having a tough time now. The legal framework can't keep up with technological development, making everyone feel insecure. --- Millions of dollars in appeal funding... It seems the community really takes this seriously, but what can be changed? --- The term "Chilling Effect" is used perfectly; talented developers are gradually forced to run away. --- The founder of the coin mixing tool was sentenced, and what's next? Legislators really need to get moving. --- It feels like the US just wants to ruin the entire crypto development ecosystem, forcing people off-chain. --- The community is united in fundraising, but the question is... can the verdict be overturned? --- That's why I prefer to do anonymous on-chain development. It's definitely better than being sued publicly. --- Talking about systemic issues sounds nice, but honestly, regulators simply don't understand code. --- Millions of dollars? Forget it, most of that money went into lawyers' pockets. What can victims really get?

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PanicSeller

· 8h ago

Bro, are you starting to use the excuse of "harvesting" again? Talking about legal risks, but at the end of the day, it's just technical personnel wanting immunity. Dare to raise millions... Why not use that money to compensate the victims? This is Web3's "freedom of speech." When something goes wrong, it's always the law's fault, never blaming the tools they use.

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MoonlightGamer

· 8h ago

Developers have really become caught in the middle, who dares to write code when the legal framework is so vague? --- Systemic issues are the root cause, it's not just about someone's bad luck. --- Raising a few million for the appeal... The community's awareness is quite good, finally someone has stepped up. --- The funny thing is, while American legislators are still researching encryption, innovation has been scared away. --- I'm just worried that this wave of public opinion will ultimately become just slogans, and the rules that need to be changed can't be changed at all. --- Wow, the "Cold Silence Effect" is such a perfect term. Who still dares to touch mixed currency tools now? --- The money has been raised, but changing the laws? This is not that simple.

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