Trump's DOJ Seeks October Retrial for Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are seeking a retrial for Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm on money-laundering and sanctions-evasion charges after a jury deadlocked last August. They have requested an October retrial date. Storm was previously convicted of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, but jurors could not agree on the more serious conspiracy counts. The charges relate to Tornado Cash’s alleged use for laundering $7 billion, including by North Korea’s Lazarus Group, although Treasury sanctions on Tornado Cash were later overturned as unlawful. The case highlights conflicting U.S. policy signals: while Treasury recently acknowledged that blockchain mixers can lawfully enhance financial privacy, the Justice Department is pressing aggressive charges against Storm. Advocates warn this could set a precedent affecting open-source developers. Meanwhile, Congress is considering bipartisan legislation to shield non-custodial developers from money transmitter classification. Before a retrial, the court will hear Storm’s motion for acquittal in April; his defense argues setting a new trial date is premature. Mixed government actions and statements on privacy tools underline ongoing uncertainty in U.S. crypto regulation.
