08.08.2025 22:39
A New York jury delivered a partial verdict in the high-profile case against Roman Storm, co-founder of the cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash. After four days of deliberation, the jury found Storm guilty on a single count: conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmission business. This conviction carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years.
However, the jury failed to reach a consensus on the remaining two charges: conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate sanctions imposed against North Korea. Despite the judge's instructions to strive for a unanimous decision following reported deadlocks, the remaining counts ended in a mistrial. This split verdict leaves the legal battle far from over, highlighting the complexities of regulating cryptocurrency and its application in illicit activities.
The prosecution's case rested heavily on the argument that Storm, possessing the technical expertise to alter Tornado Cash's code, knowingly failed to implement safeguards against its use for money laundering. Their presentation included testimony from various federal agencies, including the FBI and IRS, along with evidence from hackers involved in related investigations. Conversely, the defense mounted a robust challenge, presenting expert witnesses such as prominent figures within the cryptocurrency community. This included Ethereum developer Preston Van Loon and NAXO co-founder Matthew Edman, who argued that Storm's actions did not constitute a criminal offense.
Adding another layer to this intricate case, a significant crowdfunding effort raised over $3 million to support Storm's defense. This substantial community support, spearheaded by notable individuals like Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, underscores the high stakes involved and the passionate debate surrounding the regulation of decentralized technologies within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. The ongoing legal ramifications of this case are expected to have significant implications for the future of cryptocurrency regulation.
