Tornado Cash’s legal win prompts co-founder Roman Storm to fight charges
Roman Storm has filed a motion to dismiss criminal charges against him related to the crypto-mixing platform Tornado Cash. This request follows a Fifth Circuit Court ruling that deemed sanctions by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Tornado Cash’s smart contracts unlawful. Storm argues that the ruling undermines the charges, as autonomous smart contracts cannot be classified as property under the law. His legal team asserts he had no control over these contracts, making it impossible for him to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). They contend that the immutable nature of the contracts absolves him of criminal liability. Storm also seeks dismissal of additional charges, including conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business and money laundering, claiming they are based on flawed legal grounds. His lawyers argue that the government mischaracterizes the nature of Tornado Cash’s smart contracts, which operate independently, negating intent and knowledge required for the charges. Storm believes the government’s interpretation of criminal statutes violates due process.
