Ethereum Foundation has announced financial support for Roman Storm as he prepares for his court trial. This event may significantly impact the future of decentralized finance.
Financial Support from Ethereum Foundation
The Ethereum Foundation has provided Roman Storm with $500,000 to cover legal expenses related to his trial, which is set to begin on July 14 in New York. Additionally, the foundation pledged to match up to $750,000 from community contributions. The organization emphasized that "privacy should be seen as normal, and creating code should not be treated as a crime."
Tornado Cash Sanctions
In 2022, the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control added Tornado Cash to its sanctions list, claiming that criminals, including those linked to North Korean Lazarus groups, use these tools for money laundering. This move raised concerns within the crypto community, and in 2023, Coinbase played a significant role in challenging the government's actions. Although the sanctioned service was removed from the list in March 2025, Roman Storm continues to face other serious charges.
Roman Storm Denies Allegations
Despite serious allegations against him, Roman Storm denies any wrongdoing, arguing that the charges violate his rights under the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech. His legal team is attempting to have the case dismissed, and he aims to raise $2 million for his defense. In appeals to the crypto community, Storm warns of the high stakes of his legal battle, stating that a loss could signify the end of decentralized finance freedoms.
The support from the Ethereum Foundation and the ongoing legal proceedings against Roman Storm highlight critical questions regarding law and privacy within the crypto industry, which may influence the future of decentralized finance.
