An investor analyzing the price of Tornado Cash, the token coin $TORN on a crypto exchange sreen.

An investor analyzing the price of Tornado Cash token coin on a crypto exchange screen. Source: maurice norbert - stock.adobe.com

Key Takeaways:

Jury deliberations have begun in Roman Storm’s trial, where he faces up to 40 years for charges including money laundering and sanctions violations.
Prosecutors allege Tornado Cash knowingly enabled laundering of $350 million tied to the Lazarus Group.
The defense argues Storm lacked criminal intent, highlighting Tornado Cash’s dual-use nature for both legal and illegal purposes.

Roman Storm, co-founder of the crypto mixing platform Tornado Cash, is awaiting a jury verdict in a case that could set a major precedent for blockchain developers.

Tried in the Southern District of New York, Storm faces charges of conspiracy to launder money, violating U.S. sanctions, and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business.

NEW: The outcome of the Roman Storm Tornado Cash trial is now in the jury's hands

They will deliberate and rule GUILTY or NOT GUILTY on three separate charges — and ultimately come to a verdict in a case that pairs a right to code, privacy, and the power of American sanctions… pic.twitter.com/CLZRvp6fkn
— Coinage (@coinage_media) July 30, 2025

If convicted, he could serve over 40 years in prison.

Prosecutors argue that Storm knowingly enabled money laundering through Tornado Cash, citing its use in laundering $350 million linked to the North Korea-sanctioned Lazarus Group.

AUSA: Tornado Cash transferred over $350 million from the OFAC sanctioned Lazarus wallet AFTER the sanctions were announced. In a four week period, the dirty money made up 55% of the Eth deposits in the defendant's business
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) July 30, 2025

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gianforti labeled the platform “a fancy online money launderer” that provided “privacy for criminals.”

Storm’s defense, led by David Patton, countered that the platform was neutral technology used by both criminals and legitimate users.

Patton stressed that Storm never intended to aid bad actors and was disturbed to learn of the Lazarus Group’s involvement.

He argued that criminal liability requires willful intent, not just association.

With jury deliberations now underway, the verdict could influence how the law applies to decentralized software developers whose tools are exploited for illegal purposes.