Latest Tornado Cash (TORN) News Update

Deep Dive

1. @ethereum: Privacy as a protocol cornerstone bullish

“Ethereum is for privacy.”
– @ethereum (4.01M followers · 8.5M impressions · 2025-08-19 16:57 UTC)
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What this means: The Ethereum Foundation’s public endorsement reinforces Tornado Cash’s role in blockchain privacy infrastructure, potentially boosting developer and institutional interest despite regulatory friction.

2. @johnmorganFL: Guilty verdict sparks sell-off bearish

“Tornado Cash Founder Guilty of Unlicensed Business Operation”
– @johnmorganFL (35.2K followers · 412K impressions · 2025-08-06 17:06 UTC)
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What this means: The August 6 conviction triggered a 15% TORN price drop to $10.30, with RSI hitting 32 (oversold), reflecting market anxiety about prolonged legal risks despite acquittal on more severe charges.

3. CoinJournal: Technicals hint at bullish breakout mixed

“TORN retests key $12.40 resistance; ascending triangle suggests $20 target”
– CoinJournal (Published: 2025-09-02 09:57 UTC)
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What this means: The token’s 9.86% weekly gain aligns with a bullish chart pattern, but low $84.9K daily volume signals weak conviction – a breakout requires sustained buying above $12.40.

Conclusion

The consensus on Tornado Cash is mixed, balancing bullish technicals and institutional backing against unresolved legal risks. While the sanctions reversal and Ethereum’s advocacy provide fundamental support, Storm’s ongoing trial (sentencing pending) and $1B+ laundering allegations keep regulatory overhang alive. Watch the $12.40 resistance level – a daily close above could validate the ascending triangle, but legal developments remain the swing factor.

Deep Dive

1. Mistrial in $25M Ethereum Case (8 November 2025)

Overview:
A Manhattan federal court declared a mistrial in the case against MIT-educated brothers accused of exploiting Ethereum’s MEV system via “sandwich attacks” to siphon $25M. The jury deadlocked on whether using public blockchain code for profit constitutes fraud.

What this means:
This outcome leaves unresolved whether developers can be prosecuted for code-based financial strategies, mirroring Tornado Cash’s legal battles. The parallels to Tornado Cash’s sanctions and developer charges suggest ongoing regulatory uncertainty for privacy tools. (TradingView News)

2. Garden Finance Hackers Launder $6.65M (7 November 2025)

Overview:
Attackers moved 501 BNB and 1,910 ETH stolen in an October 31 exploit to Tornado Cash, complicating traceability. The exploit drained $10.8M from Garden Finance, a DeFi protocol.

What this means:
The incident underscores Tornado Cash’s continued role in laundering post-hack funds, reinforcing regulatory concerns about its misuse. U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla previously noted Tornado Cash “breaks traceability,” heightening scrutiny. (CoinMarketCap)

3. Record $400M Tornado Cash Volume (7 November 2025)

Overview:
Tornado Cash saw a record $400M transaction volume, driven by 116,000 ETH (worth ~$393M) deposited from 21 addresses tied to PulseX, an exchange linked to SEC-charged founder Richard Heart.

What this means:
Despite Heart’s ongoing legal issues (unregistered securities and fraud), the surge highlights persistent demand for privacy tools. However, regulatory risks loom as authorities monitor large transactions. (Yahoo Finance)

Conclusion

Tornado Cash remains a focal point in crypto’s privacy-regulation clash, balancing surging usage against legal headwinds. While whale activity and DeFi exploits drive demand, ongoing trials and ambiguous legal precedents keep TORN’s future uncertain. Will regulatory crackdowns stifle adoption, or will privacy remain non-negotiable for crypto users?

Deep Dive

1. Legal Resolution (Late 2025)

Overview:
Roman Storm’s trial, concluding in late 2025, will determine criminal liability for Tornado Cash’s alleged role in money laundering. A guilty verdict could trigger stricter regulatory scrutiny, while an acquittal might bolster developer confidence in privacy tools.

What this means:
A favorable outcome is bullish for TORN, as it could reduce existential regulatory risks. Conversely, conviction risks exchange delistings or protocol shutdowns.

2. Decentralization Efforts (Q1 2026)

Overview:
Post-trial, developers may focus on decentralizing governance via DAO proposals to distance the protocol from founder control. This includes burning remaining TORN treasury tokens (CoinDesk).

What this means:
Reduced centralization could strengthen TORN’s value proposition as a censorship-resistant tool, but sluggish adoption of DAO proposals might signal governance inertia.

3. Privacy Protocol R&D (2026)

Overview:
Long-term plans include integrating zk-SNARKs 2.0 to enhance anonymity and reduce gas costs. However, no confirmed timelines exist post-legal uncertainties.

What this means:
Technical upgrades could revive developer activity and user adoption, though competition from newer mixers like Diva might pressure innovation speed.

Conclusion

Tornado Cash’s roadmap hinges on courtroom outcomes and post-verdict community momentum. Will decentralized governance and technical upgrades outpace regulatory headwinds?