New York – The high-profile federal trial of Roman Storm, co-founder of cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash, is nearing its conclusion in the Southern District of New York, with jury deliberations underway and a verdict anticipated by August 11, 2025. Storm faces charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to violate sanctions, and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. The case carries significant implications for the future of software development and decentralized finance.
Prosecutors allege that Storm knowingly facilitated the laundering of over $1 billion in illicit funds through Tornado Cash, including proceeds from North Korea’s Lazarus Group. They argue that privacy was merely a "cover story" for a service designed to obscure illegal financial flows. The prosecution highlighted a 2019 T-shirt worn by Storm, stating, “I keep my Ether clean with Tornado.cash,” as evidence of his intent.
The defense maintains that Tornado Cash was developed as a legitimate privacy tool, emphasizing its decentralized and autonomous nature. Storm's attorneys argue that he did not control the protocol or profit from its misuse, asserting that developers should not be held liable for how third parties utilize open-source software. This stance resonates with the broader crypto community, which fears a guilty verdict could stifle innovation and criminalize software creation.
The trial has drawn considerable attention from the tech and crypto industries, with many viewing it as a critical test case for the legal responsibility of developers in the Web3 era. The outcome could establish a precedent on whether code is considered speech or if criminal liability can be extended to creators of decentralized tools. A conviction could lead to a sentence of up to 45 years in prison for Storm.
The sentiment among his supporters is palpable, as expressed by Viktor Bunin on social media: > "He literally has a heavy weight on his shoulders. He's not the only one that has a lot riding on Mondays judgement - we all do. Privacy is normal. Developers aren't criminals. Free @rstormsf." This tweet underscores the community's concern over the potential chilling effect on privacy-enhancing technologies and the principle of open-source development.
Storm's legal defense fund has raised over $3.2 million towards a new $5 million goal, with significant contributions from the Ethereum Foundation, reflecting the widespread support and the perceived importance of the case for the entire decentralized ecosystem. The verdict will be closely watched for its potential to reshape the regulatory landscape for blockchain and privacy technologies globally.