Tornado.cash is a blockchain-based privacy protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain. It enables users to break on-chain links, offering high-level financial privacy.
Unlike custodial mixers, Tornado Cash uses smart contracts that operate without intermediaries, ensuring that users retain complete custody of their funds at all times. This autonomous framework brings transparency and removes any central point of failure or censorship.
The core of Tornado mixer lies in zero-knowledge cryptography, which let users prove without disclosing specific deposit information. This ensures a break in traceability between the deposit and the withdrawal.
Thanks to its robust security, Tornado mixer quickly attracted users by those seeking financial discretion. It’s used for securing personal fund flows, among other legitimate needs.
However, this tool has also come under fire from law enforcement agencies. In 2022, the U.S. Treasury’s OFAC sanctioned the use of Tornado Cash, citing allegations of unauthorized use. Still, the protocol remains active since its smart contracts are permanently deployed and cannot be taken offline.
Many argue that Tornado Cash is a tornado.cash neutral tool, much like the internet itself — and that code should remain free, even if some actors misuse them.
Use cases for Tornado Cash include:
Avoiding surveillance on major transfers
Sending donations safely
Using Ethereum without exposing history
As governments around the world push for more monitoring, the demand for tools like Tornado.cash continues to increase steadily. The future of digital asset privacy hinges on whether transparent code will be protected or suppressed.
Whether you're a financial user or just someone looking to protect your funds, Tornado mixer remains a essential tool in the world of decentralized privacy.