Roman Storm, co-founder of the non-custodial privacy protocol Tornado Cash, has publicly spoken about the charges against him. He expressed concerns over the criminalization of software development. Writing on X, he stated, “My name is Roman Storm, and I am one of the founders of Tornado Cash, a non-custodial privacy protocol.”
Tornado Cash Co-Founder Finally Speaks Out
Storm faces up to 45 years in prison on charges including operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and sanctions evasion. He asserted, “I am being prosecuted for writing open-source code that enables private crypto transactions in a completely non-custodial manner. This prosecution represents a terrifying criminalization of privacy.”
Highlighting the broader implications, he warned, “The charges against me threaten to criminalize software development itself. If successful, the implications could extend far beyond the crypto industry, impacting every software developer.”
My name is Roman Storm, and I am one of the founders of Tornado Cash, a non-custodial privacy protocol.
I am being prosecuted for writing open-source code that enables private crypto transactions in a completely non-custodial manner. This prosecution represents a terrifying…
— Roman Storm 🇺🇸 🌪️ (@rstormsf) January 22, 2025
Storm also referenced a recent lawsuit filed by another developer against the Department of Justice (DOJ), claiming the case has created fear among software creators. “This case has already had a chilling effect on developers working on software tools,” Storm wrote.
His legal counsel, Keri Axel of Waymaker LLP, emphasized, “This prosecution threatens to criminalize software development itself.”
Storm Highlights Industry Support In His Favor
Prominent entrepreneur and politician Vivek Ramaswamy commented on the case. He stated, “You can’t go after the developers of code. What you actually need to do is go after individual bad actors who are breaking the laws that already exist.”
Storm pointed to support from organizations like the DeFi Education Fund, Coin Center, and Blockchain Association, which have filed amicus briefs backing his defense. Additionally, he highlighted conflicting interpretations of the law by U.S. government agencies and referenced a 5th Circuit Court ruling declaring Tornado Cash sanctions unlawful.
Storm’s trial is scheduled for April 14, 2025.
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Source: https://www.cryptonewsz.com/tornado-cash-co-founder-breaks-silence-trial/