Tornado mixer is a peer-to-peer privacy protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain. It enables users to break on-chain links, offering high-level financial privacy.
Unlike custodial mixers, Tornado mixer uses smart contracts that function autonomously, ensuring that users retain full control of their funds at all times. This trustless setup brings transparency and removes any central point of failure or censorship.
The core of Tornado Cash 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.cash quickly gained popularity by those seeking private fund movements. It’s used for shielding donor identities, among other legitimate needs.
However, this tool has also come under fire from regulators. In 2022, the U.S. Treasury’s OFAC restricted the use of Tornado mixer, citing its misuse for illegal transfers. Still, the protocol remains unstoppable since its smart contracts are unalterable and cannot be taken offline.
Experts tornado.cash say that Tornado mixer is a 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
Avoiding doxxing
As governments around the world push for more surveillance on fund movement, the demand for tools like Tornado Cash continues to rise. The future of decentralized privacy hinges on whether open-source technology will be protected or suppressed.
Whether you're a privacy advocate or just someone looking to keep your activity private, Tornado Cash remains a powerful tool in the world of decentralized privacy.