U.S. Court Ends Coin Center's Appeal on Tornado Cash Sanctions

The Eleventh Circuit's ruling follows the U.S. Treasury's removal of Tornado Cash from sanctions, while criminal charges against its founder remain.

ETH

Summary

On July 3, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit dismissed Coin Center's appeal regarding Tornado Cash, aligning with the U.S. Treasury's earlier decision to remove the service from its sanctions list. Coin Center's executive director, Peter Van Valkenburgh, noted the government's reluctance to defend its previous sanctions interpretation. Despite this ruling, Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm is scheduled for a court appearance on July 14, 2025, facing charges of money laundering and sanctions violations. Other co-founders have faced legal issues, including one being sentenced to prison.

Terms & Concepts
  • Tornado Cash: An Ethereum-based mixing service that allows users to obscure transaction details for privacy.
  • OFAC Sanctions: Regulations imposed by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control to restrict financial transactions with certain individuals or entities.
  • Bank Secrecy Act (BSA): A U.S. law aimed at preventing money laundering and requiring financial institutions to report certain transactions.