Tornado Cash Developer Asks for Support Ahead of Trial That Could Set ‘Major Precedent’ for Crypto

One of the founders of sanctioned crypto mixer Tornado Cash (TORN) is asking for financial help ahead of his criminal trial in the United States.

Roman Storm was arrested last year and charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly laundering $1 billion in criminal proceeds.

In a new video posted on the social media platform X, Storm is asking for donations to help fund his legal defense and saying, “Honestly, I’m scared.”

He warns that the outcome of his trial will have significant implications for the future of digital assets.

“Hi, my name is Roman Storm. I’m a passionate software developer. And four years ago, I helped develop Tornado Cash, an open source non-custodial privacy protocol. A few months ago, despite my ongoing cooperation with the US authorities, heavily armed FBI agents raided my home at 6 a.m. and arrested me in front of my three-year-old daughter. My legal team and I are going to put forth a strong defense at trial, not just for my family’s sake, but for the future software developers and financial privacy.

Folks, I need your help. Whether you’re a passionate developer like me involved with web3, or just care about software and privacy, this legal battle will affect you. So please help contribute to my legal defense, because this case will set a major precedent for years to come. JusticeDAO (decentralized autonomous organization) has put together a number of options to donate. Will you support this cause? Every contribution counts. Thank you.”

Tornado Cash is an Ethereum (ETH)-based coin mixing system that helps users conceal their digital assets. TORN is the 1421st-ranked crypto by market cap. The project was sanctioned by the US in 2022 for national security purposes.

Last year, Storm, alongside Roman Semenov, another Tornado Cash founder, was charged by the DOJ with conspiracy to help North Korean hacking group Lazarus launder money.

In August 2022, a third co-founder of Tornado Cash, Alexey Pertsev, was arrested in the Netherlands on money laundering charges.

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