Advertise
- Zameer Attar
Zameer Attar
- Reviewed by:
๏ปฟAnjali BelgaumkarWriter by choice, CryptoCurrency Writer, and Researcher by chance. Currently, focusing on financial news and analysis, as well as cryptocurrency news and data. One may not call me a crypto โEnthusiastโ but trust me I'm getting there.
- Aug 07, 2025 10:32 UTC
-
Roman Storm Convicted in Tornado Cash Case, Faces 5 Years In Prison
Roman Storm faces up to five years in prison following illegal money transmitting business.
Storm manages to dodge two other big charges, avoiding decades of imprisonment.
Stricter rules for privacy in digital assets is anticipated.
On Wednesday, a Manhattan jury delivered a split verdict in the criminal trial of Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm. The jury found Storm guilty of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. This could be the turning point for cryptoโs money laundering sanctions and leave far-reaching implications for decentralized finance (DeFi) communities.ย
Tornado Cash Co-Funder Faces Five Years in Prison
One of cryptoโs most prominent privacy mixers, Storm, was found guilty of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business that facilitated more than $1 billion in illegal transactions. Now, Storm faces up to five years in prison after the guilty verdict.
Storm, however, escaped the bigger charges as the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on those counts, resulting in a partial mistrial. The two other charges included conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate international sanctions against North Korea. Each of these charges carried a possible 20-year sentence.
The U.S. attorney Jay Clayton stated, โRoman Storm and Tornado Cash provided a service for North Korean hackers and other criminals to move and hide more than $1 billion of dirty money.โ
Complete Story of Stormโs Lawsuit
Prosecutor Benjamin Gianforti said that Storm had been informed multiple times between 2020 to 2022 that Tornado Cash was helping criminals to hide dirty money. But Storm did not pay any heed to the claims and continued to run his business in the company. Then in August 2023, Storm was arrested on the same charges.
After years of pleading not guilty, Storm managed to escape the severe punishment. Stormโs defence attorney Brian Klein said, โWe are grateful the jury did not convict Roman for violating sanctions or laundering money.โ
โThere are serious legal issues with the sole remaining money transmitting count. We will not stop fighting for Roman, and expect him to be fully vindicated,โ he added.
Whatโs Next? Stricter Rules for Digital Assets
For many in the crypto space, this verdict signals that the development of privacy-enhancing tools is now legally risky in the country.
โThe speed, efficiency, and functionality of stablecoins and other digital assets offer great promise, but that promise cannot be an excuse for criminality,โ Mr. Clayton stated.
Amanda Tuminelli, executive director at the DeFi Education Fund, told DL News, โThe principle guiding the DOJ charges in this case is limitless. It basically says that any person who creates a tool that somebody else uses … is responsible for that third partyโs conduct.โ
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
FAQs
Storm was convicted of operating an unlicensed money transmitter for Tornado Cash, facing 5 years prison. Jury deadlocked on more serious money laundering/sanctions charges.
The jury couldn’t agree on money laundering and sanctions violations charges that carried 20-year sentences, resulting in a partial mistrial.
Legal experts warn the ruling could lead to stricter regulations on mixers and anonymous transactions in the crypto space moving forward.
Yes 
No 
