Roman Storm, Tornado Cash co-creator, urgently requests an additional $1.5 million to cover escalating legal fees as his landmark trial challenges the future of crypto privacy and DeFi innovation.
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Storm’s legal defense fund has raised over $3.9 million, with a new $5 million goal set to cover mounting costs.
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The trial questions the criminalization of open-source privacy tools and their impact on decentralized finance.
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Storm’s legal team cites First Amendment protections and 2019 FinCEN guidance to defend Tornado Cash’s decentralized nature.
Roman Storm seeks $1.5M more for Tornado Cash legal defense amid a pivotal trial impacting crypto privacy and DeFi innovation. Stay informed with COINOTAG.
Roman Storm’s Legal Defense Fund Faces Rising Costs Amid Tornado Cash Trial
Roman Storm, co-creator of the Tornado Cash protocol, has publicly requested an additional $1.5 million to support his ongoing legal defense as the trial enters its third week. The trial, held in Manhattan, New York, began on July 14 and has already seen over $3.9 million raised by the crypto community. Storm emphasized the urgency, noting that legal expenses are “piling up fast” and his team is working tirelessly to manage the complex case.
Legal Defense Fund Progress and Ethereum Foundation Support
Storm’s official website reports that the Legal Defense Fund has accumulated more than $3.2 million, reaching 65% of a new $5 million target. Additionally, the Ethereum Foundation has contributed $750,000 to assist with legal costs. These combined efforts highlight the significant community backing for Storm’s defense against charges related to Tornado Cash’s development and operation.
Total donations made by the Ethereum Foundation and Storm’s Legal Defense Fund Support. Source: Freeromanstorm.com
What Are the Legal Arguments in Roman Storm’s Tornado Cash Trial?
The trial focuses on allegations that Storm conspired to launder money, violated U.S. sanctions, and operated an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Prosecutors argue these points based on Tornado Cash’s use by illicit actors, including the North Korean Lazarus Group. However, Storm’s defense counters that Tornado Cash is a decentralized, immutable protocol beyond any individual’s control, not a business entity.
Defense Cites First Amendment and FinCEN Guidance
Storm’s legal team relies on a 2019 Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidance stating that developers of anonymizing software are not required to register as money transmitters. They also assert that writing and publishing code is protected free speech under the U.S. First Amendment, emphasizing the constitutional rights involved in this case.
How Have Tornado Cash’s Other Co-Creators Been Affected?
Roman Storm co-founded Tornado Cash in 2019 with Alexey Pertsev and Roman Semenov, inspired by Ethereum co-creator Vitalik Buterin’s interest in privacy tools. Pertsev was convicted of money laundering in the Netherlands in May 2024 and is currently appealing, having been released under strict conditions including electronic monitoring. Semenov remains at large and is listed on the FBI’s wanted list, highlighting ongoing legal repercussions for the protocol’s creators.
Source: Roman Storm
What Is the Potential Impact of This Trial on Crypto Privacy and DeFi?
This trial could set a precedent for criminalizing open-source privacy tools, posing significant risks to decentralized finance innovation and privacy rights. The outcome may influence how privacy protocols are regulated and developed, affecting the broader crypto ecosystem’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money has been raised for Roman Storm’s legal defense so far?
Over $3.9 million has been raised by the crypto community and the Ethereum Foundation to support Roman Storm’s legal defense fund as of late July 2025.
What is the significance of the Tornado Cash trial for crypto privacy?
The trial could establish legal precedents affecting the use and development of privacy tools in crypto, potentially restricting decentralized finance innovation and privacy rights.
Key Takeaways
- Urgent Funding Need: Roman Storm requests an additional $1.5 million for legal fees as his trial continues.
- Community Support: Over $3.9 million raised, including significant contributions from the Ethereum Foundation.
- Legal Precedent: The trial’s outcome may impact the future of crypto privacy tools and decentralized finance innovation.
Conclusion
The ongoing Tornado Cash trial involving Roman Storm highlights critical issues surrounding crypto privacy, legal accountability, and decentralized finance. With mounting legal costs and strong community backing, the case’s resolution will likely influence future regulatory approaches and the development of privacy protocols. COINOTAG will continue to provide updates as this landmark trial progresses.
