DOJ invokes Bitcoin Fog ruling in potential blow to Roman Storm acquittal bid
Summary
Federal prosecutors cited a D.C. Circuit ruling upholding Bitcoin Fog operator Roman Sterlingov’s convictions to support their argument that Tornado Cash transactions in Manhattan establish venue for charges against developer Roman Storm. Storm argues the transactions did not further the alleged conspiracy. A jury convicted him of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business in 2025 but deadlocked on money-laundering and sanctions conspiracy counts. His acquittal motion remains pending; a retrial is scheduled for April 2027 if the unresolved charges stand. Storm also criticized the DOJ’s position after Treasury announced it would withdraw a proposed crypto-mixer rule.
