Ethereum Privacy Tool Co-Founder Seeks Legal Defense Funds in Landmark Case

In a critical development for the cryptocurrency sector, Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm has made an urgent appeal for financial support ahead of his upcoming trial. Facing serious charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering and sanctions violations, Storm requires $500,000 immediately and an additional $1.5 million in the coming weeks to cover legal expenses and expert witnesses. This high-profile case, stemming from his arrest in August 2023, is set to test the legal boundaries of financial privacy tools in the Ethereum ecosystem. The outcome could have significant implications for decentralized finance (DeFi) and privacy-focused protocols moving forward.

Tornado Cash Co-Founder Roman Storm Appeals for Legal Defense Funding Ahead of Pivotal Trial

Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm has issued an urgent plea for financial support as his high-profile trial approaches. Facing charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and sanctions violations, Storm requires $500,000 within days and an additional $1.5 million in coming weeks to cover legal fees and expert witnesses. The case, stemming from his August 2023 arrest, tests the boundaries of financial privacy in decentralized finance.

Storm's defense hinges on the argument that publishing open-source code constitutes protected speech. The outcome could set precedents for developer liability and privacy tools across blockchain ecosystems. Tornado Cash, an Ethereum-based mixing service, obscures transaction trails on public ledgers—a feature authorities allege enabled sanctions evasion.

The crypto community watches closely as this battle unfolds. A conviction might chill innovation in privacy-preserving protocols, while an acquittal could reinforce the legal standing of decentralized technologies. Storm's restricted movements since his arrest underscore the personal stakes of this landmark case.

Smart Money Moves to Ethereum—Is a $5K ETH Around the Corner?

Ethereum is attracting significant investor interest, with analysts speculating a potential surge toward the $5,000 mark. The cryptocurrency has shown a 9.10% weekly gain, currently trading between $2,420 and $2,679. Resistance at $2,787 looms as the next critical test; a breakout could propel ETH toward $3,047, marking a 14% upside.

Market momentum remains strong, reflected in an RSI of 68—indicating bullish sentiment without overbought conditions. However, support at $2,269 could temper gains if volatility strikes. Institutional flows and technical alignment suggest Ethereum's rally has room to run.

Ethereum (ETH) In Consolidation Mode: Is $4,000 Price Target Still Possible?

Ethereum's price action in July 2025 has entered a phase of consolidation, yet on-chain metrics continue to flash bullish signals. The second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap has held steady above the $2,800 support level, trading at $2,962.28 at press time. Traders are now watching for a decisive breakout that could reignite momentum toward the psychologically significant $4,000 threshold.

Market technician TedPillows recently highlighted a potential higher low formation on social media, suggesting Ethereum's technical structure remains primed for upward movement. The MVRV Z-Score—a key indicator of market valuation—has yet to peak this cycle, historically signaling room for further appreciation. Meanwhile, the Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) continues to draw analyst attention as a gauge of investor behavior.

SharpLink Gaming Acquires $48M in Ethereum, Fueling Stock Rally

SharpLink Gaming (SBET) has made another significant ethereum purchase, acquiring 16,374 ETH worth approximately $48.85 million. This follows a $63.7 million ETH acquisition from the Ethereum Foundation just days prior. The transactions were identified via blockchain data from Arkham Intelligence, though the company has yet to officially confirm them.

The Nasdaq-listed firm's aggressive crypto treasury strategy appears to be paying dividends. Its shares surged 17.5% on Friday, closing at $21.65, and extended gains in overnight trading. Ethereum's price similarly benefited, rising 3% to $3,052 amid the institutional buying activity.

Originally an affiliate marketing firm for gambling platforms, SharpLink has reinvented itself as a crypto-focused holding company since Joseph Lubin joined as chairman. The Ethereum co-founder's involvement through Consensys' $425 million private placement in May signaled the company's strategic pivot toward digital assets.

Tornado Cash Co-Founder Alleges DOJ Misrepresented Telegram Evidence

Roman Storm, co-founder of cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash, has accused U.S. prosecutors of presenting misleading Telegram evidence in his upcoming criminal trial. The defense claims key metadata was omitted from forwarded messages extracted from co-defendant Alexey Pertsev's device, potentially tainting the grand jury process.

Prosecutors admitted to initially providing incomplete chat logs in September 2023, only sharing properly marked forwarded messages in December 2024. The evidentiary dispute centers on extraction methods by U.S. agent Peter Dickerman using data seized by Dutch authorities.

Legal experts suggest the authentication issues could violate federal rules on hearsay evidence. Storm's team characterizes the errors as symptomatic of broader evidentiary failures in the case.

SharpLink Gaming's Aggressive Ethereum Accumulation Sparks Stock Rally

SharpLink Gaming has cemented its position as a major institutional player in the Ethereum ecosystem with its latest $48.85 million purchase of 16,374 ETH. The transaction, facilitated through Galaxy Digital's OTC desk, follows closely on the heels of a $63.7 million acquisition earlier in the week. The company now holds 216,000 ETH worth approximately $648 million—placing it second only to the Ethereum Foundation in institutional holdings.

The market has responded enthusiastically to SharpLink's strategic pivot. Shares surged 17.5% on Friday to $21.65, extending a 71% weekly gain, with after-hours trading pushing the price to $23.20. Ethereum's price mirrored this momentum, climbing 3% to $3,052—a five-month high.

This dramatic transformation from gaming affiliate to crypto heavyweight was catalyzed by a $425 million private placement led by Consensys in May 2025. The company's rapid accumulation of Ethereum positions it at the forefront of institutional crypto adoption, with market observers closely watching its next move.