Ethereum’s Tornado Cash Case Faces Potential Mistrial Over Unsubstantiated Claims
In a significant development for the Ethereum ecosystem, the legal team of Roman Storm is preparing to request a mistrial in the high-profile Tornado Cash case. The move comes after a government witness, Hanfeng Lin, failed to provide concrete on-chain evidence supporting claims that the Ethereum-based privacy protocol was involved in a $250,000 romance scam. U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla heard arguments on July 28, 2025, regarding the admissibility of this disputed testimony. This case could have far-reaching implications for privacy tools in the Ethereum network and the broader cryptocurrency space, as it tests the boundaries of protocol developer liability. The outcome may influence how regulators view decentralized finance (DeFi) projects and their compliance with financial regulations. With Ethereum's position as the leading smart contract platform, this legal battle is being closely watched by industry participants who are concerned about potential precedents that could affect innovation in the space.
Defense Seeks Mistrial in Tornado Cash Case Over Disputed Evidence
Roman Storm's legal team is preparing to request a mistrial in the Tornado Cash case after a government witness failed to substantiate claims linking the protocol to a romance scam. The defense challenged testimony from Hanfeng Lin, who alleged $250,000 in stolen funds passed through the crypto mixer, citing a lack of on-chain evidence.
U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla heard arguments Monday regarding the admissibility of Lin's testimony. The witness claimed a recovery service identified Tornado Cash in tracing her lost funds, but defense attorney David Patton disputed these assertions. A successful mistrial motion could force prosecutors to restart proceedings with new evidence.
BlackRock's $100M Ethereum Purchase Caps Record $2.12B Weekly Inflow
BlackRock acquired 27,158.86 ETH worth $100 million on July 21, cementing a month of aggressive institutional accumulation. The asset manager's total July purchases now exceed $3 billion, with earlier transactions including a 113,586 ETH buy on July 19 and a 158,875 ETH spree worth $574 million on July 18.
Ethereum investment products recorded $2.12 billion in weekly inflows—nearly double the previous peak—as institutional demand surges. BlackRock's ETHA ETF dominates daily US flows, capturing 90-98% of inflows on strong days. The fund now holds approximately 2.5 million ETH, representing 4.5% of circulating supply.
The buying spree reflects growing institutional conviction in Ethereum's long-term value proposition. Other financial giants are similarly accumulating hundreds of thousands of coins, creating a supply squeeze in regulated markets.
Ethereum Price Prediction – $4,096 Breakout or Pullback to $3,525?
Ethereum's price rally has surged 22% over the past week, peaking NEAR $3,856 before a 4.18% dip sparked debate over short-term momentum. Regulatory uncertainty and ETF outflows have introduced volatility, but onchain data suggests this may be a healthy cooldown rather than a reversal.
Glassnode's Cost Basis Distribution Heatmap reveals strategic behavior among ETH investors. Those who accumulated at $2,520 are taking partial profits, yet nearly 2 million ETH remains unmoved—a sign of lingering bullish conviction. New buyers are absorbing sell pressure, reinforcing demand.
Currently trading at $3,635, ethereum faces a critical juncture. The market watches for either a decisive breakout toward $4,096 or a retracement to $3,525. Investor discipline—locking gains while maintaining core positions—reflects maturity in ETH's holder base.
Ark Invest Shifts Strategy with $175M Ethereum Treasury Play via BitMine Immersion
Cathie Wood's Ark Invest has pivoted its crypto strategy, divesting portions of its Coinbase, Robinhood, and Block holdings to deploy approximately $175 million into Ethereum-focused BitMine Immersion. The MOVE signals growing institutional confidence in ETH treasury strategies as the asset matures beyond speculative trading.
Ark allocated 4.4 million BMNR shares across three ETFs at $39.57 per share, with its flagship ARKK fund absorbing the lion's share. BitMine now dominates ETH holdings with over 300,000 coins—outpacing even the Ethereum Foundation's reserves.
The reallocation comes amid surging demand for yield-generating crypto assets. Ethereum's staking mechanics and deflationary tokenomics appear to be drawing sophisticated investors seeking alternatives to traditional equity exposure.
Ethereum Rally Gains Momentum: $10,000 Target if $4,000 Breaks
Ethereum surged 24% this week, defying a minor daily pullback, as bullish technical indicators and institutional inflows fuel optimism. The cryptocurrency now trades at $3,703.15, with analysts eyeing a potential $10,000 target should it breach the $4,000 resistance level.
Market sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive, driven by rising trading volumes and higher lows. Ethereum's 24-hour trading volume reached $44.54 billion, despite a slight 2.62% dip, while its market capitalization stands firm at $447.01 billion.
Technical analysis reveals a robust uptrend since the $3,000 support level, with brief consolidation near $3,600 before breaking upward. The current momentum suggests Ethereum may soon test its all-time high, with institutional interest serving as a key catalyst.
Exploring Blockchain Scalability: Rollups and Custom Solutions
Rollups have emerged as a critical innovation for scaling blockchain networks while preserving security and neutrality. Chainalysis' latest podcast episode highlights their transformative potential in reducing transaction costs and improving accessibility.
Andrew Huang, Founder of Conduit, discussed how rollups maintain Ethereum's security properties while enabling fintech and traditional finance companies to deploy private blockchains through Conduit's 'rollup as a service' model. This approach enhances economic efficiency and broadens adoption.
