Key InsightsTornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm is set to go on trial on July 14, 2025, facing serious charges including money laundering, conspiracy, and violating U.S. sanctions laws.
Storm says his defense is being undermined by the Department of Justice (DOJ), which has rejected five out of six expert witnesses proposed by his legal team. The remaining witness, blockchain expert Matthew Edman, has reportedly been restricted in what he can testify about.
According to prosecutors, topics like cryptography, blockchain mechanics, and privacy rights aren’t relevant to the case. The DOJ maintains the issue is Storm’s alleged role in helping North Korean hackers launder crypto through Tornado Cash.
Storm argues that the charges violate his First Amendment rights, asserting that writing and sharing open-source code is protected speech. He insists Tornado Cash is a decentralized protocol, not a money-transmitting business.
In 2022, the U.S. sanctioned Tornado Cash for allegedly helping launder billions in stolen crypto, but those sanctions were lifted earlier this year. However, the criminal case against Storm continues.
The Ethereum Foundation has pledged $500,000 towards his legal costs and will match up to $750,000 in community contributions, aiming for a $2 million defense fund. Supporters see the trial as a pivotal battle for developer rights, privacy, and the future of DeFi.
Critics believe the DOJ is deliberately narrowing the trial's focus to sidestep broader issues around DeFi’s legality and the ethics of privacy tools. Storm warns that if he loses, it could set a dangerous precedent for all open-source developers:
<blockquote>
 “If I lose, DeFi dies with me.”
</blockquote>
The trial begins July 14 in New York and could shape the future of crypto regulation, open-source software, and digital privacy.

“DeFi on Trial”: Tornado Cash Founder Warns of Industry-Wide Fallout If Convicted

VoiceOfCrypto (VOC)

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