Prosecutors Oppose Acquittal Bid for Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm

The DOJ’s Southern District of New York reaffirmed evidence showing Roman Storm’s creation and control of Tornado Cash, urging the court to reject his acquittal request.

Summary

U.S. federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York filed a post-trial brief opposing Roman Storm’s motion for acquittal. Storm, a co-founder of Tornado Cash, was convicted earlier in 2025 of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitter, while jurors deadlocked on charges of money laundering conspiracy and sanctions violation conspiracy. In their latest filing, prosecutors state they proved Storm created and controlled the sanctioned crypto mixing service Tornado Cash, which they allege facilitated illicit transactions. They argue this evidence supports maintaining the charges and urged the court to deny his acquittal. The defense has until Wednesday to respond.

Terms & Concepts
  • Tornado Cash: A cryptocurrency mixing service that obscures transaction origins, previously sanctioned by the U.S. government for its use by illicit actors.
  • crypto mixing service: A tool that blends cryptocurrency transactions, making it difficult to trace the source and destination of funds.
  • money transmitter: An entity that transfers funds or value between parties, often requiring specific licensing under U.S. law.