DOJ Clarifies: Writing Blockchain Code Without Malicious Intent Is Not a Crime
🔑 Key Takeaways DOJ’s Acting Assistant Attorney General stated that writing blockchain code without criminal intent is not a crime. Enforcement will focus on criminal misuse, not neutral software development . 🗞 Main Story At the American Innovation Project summit , Matthew J. Galeotti of the DOJ Criminal Division declared that writing neutral blockchain code alone does not warrant prosecution unless tied to malicious intent. CryptoQuibbler notes this marks a policy shift from treating developers as liable “money transmitters” toward recognizing that liability arises from misuse, not code itself. 🔬 Expert Opinions Amanda Tuminelli, Executive Director at DeFi Education Fund: “This acknowledgment is a milestone—developers who create neutral tools shouldn’t face legal risk for misuse by others.” 🌟 Implications Legal Clarity: Developers gain assurance that neutral code creation ≠ criminal liability . DeFi Innovation: Re...