Ethereum Privacy Tools Under Scrutiny as Tornado Cash Case Reveals Regulatory Gray Areas
The legal battle surrounding Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm has taken a dramatic turn as defense attorneys accuse prosecutors of suppressing critical evidence. Newly revealed FinCEN communications suggest non-custodial crypto mixers may not qualify as money transmitters - a development with significant implications for Ethereum’s privacy ecosystem and decentralized finance regulation.
Tornado Cash Developer’s Legal Team Accuses Prosecutors of Evidence Suppression
Roman Storm’s defense attorneys allege federal prosecutors concealed critical FinCEN communications in the Tornado Cash case. The withheld documents reportedly clarify that non-custodial crypto mixers don’t meet the legal definition of money transmitting businesses—a position previously affirmed in the Samourai Wallet case.
The prosecution has dropped one charge related to money transmission regulations, while Storm’s trial remains scheduled for July 2025. This development follows a recent court ruling against OFAC sanctions on Tornado Cash, creating parallel legal battles that could reshape regulatory treatment of privacy tools in cryptocurrency.
Vitalik Buterin Proposes Partially Stateless Ethereum Nodes to Address RPC Risks
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has introduced a groundbreaking proposal aimed at enhancing scalability, privacy, and decentralization within the ethereum network. The concept of partially stateless nodes could revolutionize node operation by improving efficiency and resistance to censorship.
Buterin’s blog post highlights the growing centralization risk posed by dominant Remote Procedure Call (RPC) providers. These services, while convenient for wallets and dApps, create potential vulnerabilities. "A market structure dominated by a few RPC providers will face strong pressure to deplatform or censor users," Buterin warned, underscoring the need for architectural innovation.
Ethereum Faces Resistance Amid Market Correction as Exchange Withdrawals Spike
Ether’s price trajectory has reversed sharply, shedding 11.5% of its value over five days to trade at $2,426. The retreat follows failed attempts to breach the critical $2,520 resistance level, with technical charts now indicating a bearish trend line forming at $2,540.
Despite the downturn, blockchain data reveals a curious divergence. May 16 saw the largest ETH exodus from exchanges since early April, while the Coinbase Premium Index maintained positive territory—suggesting institutional accumulation continues beneath the surface.
Trading volume patterns mirror December 2024’s market behavior, hinting at potential accumulation phases during price dips. The market appears caught between technical resistance and fundamental demand signals.
Ethereum Faces Resistance Amid Rally Prospects
Ethereum’s recent price surge has stalled at a critical resistance level, sparking debate over its ability to sustain momentum toward $3,000. The asset briefly touched February highs before retreating, echoing a pattern seen in prior pullbacks that drove prices below $1,400.
Short-term bullish signals emerge as the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day—a classic golden cross. Yet long-term hurdles persist, with ETH struggling to hold above key technical thresholds. Historical data suggests such rejections often precede volatile swings, though buying pressure has previously resurged unexpectedly.
Vitalik Buterin Proposes Ethereum Node Design to Boost Decentralization
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a technical proposal aimed at reducing the hardware requirements for running network nodes. The design introduces "partially stateless nodes," which WOULD allow participants to store only subsets of blockchain data rather than the full 1.3TB ledger.
The initiative seeks to democratize node operation by enabling consumer-grade hardware participation. Current Ethereum nodes require specialized infrastructure with multi-terabyte storage capacity, creating barriers to entry for individual users. Buterin frames this as a critical step toward achieving the network’s decentralization ideals.
Node operation remains fundamental to Ethereum’s security model, with each participant verifying transactions and maintaining ledger copies. The proposal could significantly impact network participation metrics if implemented, potentially increasing validator diversity across geographical and socioeconomic lines.
Raoul Pal: Ethereum and Altcoins Poised for Breakout Amid Market Shift
Real Vision founder Raoul Pal and Rekt cofounder OSF have signaled a dramatic shift in the crypto market, with Ethereum positioned as the focal point. "I think ETH is probably going to shock people going forward. It’s going to really explode," Pal said, suggesting a defining breakout in the current cycle.
Former U.S. President Donald TRUMP has unexpectedly emerged as a major Ethereum holder, with on-chain reports revealing over $500 million worth of ETH in his crypto wallets. This marks a stark reversal for Trump, who previously dismissed crypto as "a disaster waiting to happen."
