Vegas 2026: The DOJ's Developer Exemptions
4 hours ago
- #Bitcoin Developers
- #Legal Liability
- #DOJ Policy
- The DOJ, under Todd Blanche, claims developers will not be targeted if they don't know their software is used for illicit activity.
- However, past prosecutions like those of Samourai Wallet and Tornado Cash developers show the DOJ still pursues non-custodial developers.
- The exemption relies on vague definitions of 'helping' or 'knowing', which can include receiving emails about misuse or searching for hack-related info.
- Critics argue this approach leaves the door open for prosecutions based on mere awareness, potentially criminalizing legitimate software development.
- The DOJ continues to argue that non-custodial developers engage in unlicensed money transmitting, conflicting with claims of policy changes.