The non-fungible token platform OpenSea has begun blocking users for working with the Tornado Cash mixer. This was reported by journalist Colin Wu.
According to him, he did not use the marketplace for several months, and on August 20 he found his account blocked. OpenSea support explained the decision as a violation of sanctions OFAC.
Wu looked at X (formerly Twitter) for similar issues with other users, and found that the blocking on the platform could be related to the use of Tornado Cash.
The journalist noted that the investigation is still ongoing, which means that the restrictions are due to the “proactive and strict control policy” on the part of OpenSea.
ForkLog has requested comments from marketplace representatives, but has not received a response at the time of writing.
In August 2022, OFAC added to the sanctions list the Tornado Cash website, with the help of which, according to the agency, the attackers laundered more than $7 billion worth of cryptocurrency. Over $455 million of them are associated with the activities of the North Korean hacker group Lazarus Group.
On August 12, Dutch authorities arrested the developer Alexey Pertsev on suspicion of involvement in money laundering and concealment of criminal financial flows. He denied all accusations against him.
In April 2023, the court changed the preventive measure for Pertsev to house arrest.
Recall that in August, the US Department of Justice charged two co-founders of Tornado Cash – Roman Shtorm and Roman Semenov – with money laundering and violating sanctions.
Storm was taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was released on bail soon after.
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