An Argentine Ethereum developer known online as “Fede’s Intern” was detained in Izmir, Turkey, after authorities accused him of helping individuals “misuse” the Ethereum network. Fede disclosed the incident on August 11 via X, stating that Turkish officials informed his lawyer of the allegation, which he called “obviously wrong.” He insisted his work is limited to building blockchain infrastructure and denied any involvement in illegal activities.
The Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs accused Carrone of “helping others misuse Ethereum,” linking him to a privacy protocol reportedly connected to a January 2022 research paper examining user privacy on Ethereum and Tornado Cash. Carrone denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that his work was purely academic research focused on mixers and their privacy properties, not facilitating illegal activities.
According to Fede, Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs personally made the claim, though no formal charges, documents, or specific laws have been cited. The scope of the alleged “misuse” remains unclear. “Privacy is not a crime,” Fede wrote, urging authorities to focus on prosecuting criminals rather than targeting blockchain developers or infrastructure providers.
The developer was released after being detained for 24 hours in Turkey over alleged ties to an Ethereum privacy protocol. Carrone revealed his release in a statement posted on X Monday, expressing relief and gratitude for the support that helped secure his freedom.
I’m finally out, safe and free. There was a small moment were things looked very bad but thanks to help from many I got released. Sorry if I didn’t answer every message. I was in calls non stop the last 24 hours with too many people and I only slept two hours.
Yesterday I landed… https://t.co/d54KXELtbC pic.twitter.com/z1c39K1yAS
— Fede’s intern 🥊 (@fede_intern) August 11, 2025
The developer, who says he operates businesses in more than a dozen sectors under a European holding company, claimed he has reached out to contacts in over 10 countries. He suggested that diplomatic efforts were underway to allow him to leave Turkey and contest the allegations abroad. At one point, he reported being moved to a private room, served food, and told arrangements were in motion for a private jet flight to Europe.
Carrone also described the initial stages of his detention as dire, revealing he was at one point threatened with the confiscation of his mobile phone and barred from communication. However, a fast global response from his network of friends and colleagues, spanning the UAE, UK, US, Europe, Argentina, and even the Catholic Church, mobilized efforts to intervene. Representatives from the Solana ecosystem also provided contacts and assistance during this critical time.
“I will never forget their help and hope to one day give back to everyone who supported me,”
Carrone said.
The case has sparked concern across Ethereum and Solana communities. Ethereum advocate Ryan Sean Adams called the detention “very troubling,” noting the irony that Istanbul had been floated as a possible Devcon 2026 venue. Turkish crypto commentator Cenk argued there was “zero legal basis” for holding someone over such claims.
Also Read: Vitalik Buterin Warns of “Moral Reversal” in Crypto, Defends Ethereum’s Ethical Stance
Some industry observers say it’s a regulatory overstep
While some industry observers suspect a translation error or misunderstanding of blockchain infrastructure, others warn it may be a sign of regulatory overreach. Although now safely back in Europe, Carrone noted that the legal process remains active. His Turkish attorney continues to work on his defence, and the full circumstances surrounding the detention are still unclear. Carrone expressed his commitment to clearing his name and defending against the accusations once the situation stabilizes.
In a show of solidarity with the broader community affected by such legal battles, Carrone also announced a $500,000 Ether donation to support Roman Storm’s ongoing legal defence. “Roman’s legal defense matters because builders everywhere need to know they can push innovation forward and that the community will stand behind them when they do,” he stated.
The detention and release comes amid Turkey’s tightening grip on the digital asset sector. In March, the Capital Markets Board (CMB) introduced a licensing framework requiring exchanges, custodians, and wallet providers to maintain detailed transaction records, send monthly account statements, and process orders only via approved channels.
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