Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, is preparing for a trial starting on July 14, 2025. He faces serious charges, including money laundering and violating U.S. sanctions laws.
Trial Date and Location
The trial against Roman Storm will commence on July 14, 2025, in New York. The charges involve serious crimes related to money laundering and violations of U.S. sanctions laws.
Basis of Charges Against Roman Storm
Storm argues that the charges infringe upon his First Amendment rights, defending the freedom of expression in the context of writing and sharing open-source code. Prosecutors emphasize his alleged role in assisting North Korean hackers to launder crypto through Tornado Cash. The Department of Justice has rejected five out of six expert witnesses proposed by his defense, leaving only one blockchain expert, Matthew Edman, who has restricted testimony.
Community Response and Support for Storm
The Ethereum Foundation has pledged $500,000 towards Storm's legal costs and will match up to $750,000 raised from the community, aiming for a $2 million defense fund. Supporters view his case as a pivotal battle for developer rights, privacy, and the future of DeFi. Storm warns that losing could set a dangerous precedent for all open-source developers. 'If I lose, DeFi dies with me.'
The start of the trial against Roman Storm could significantly impact the future of crypto regulation, open-source software, and digital privacy.
