Ethereum Privacy Tools Under Scrutiny as Tornado Cash Developer Remains Silent in Trial

In a significant development for the cryptocurrency sector, Roman Storm, co-founder of the Ethereum-based privacy tool Tornado Cash, has chosen not to testify in his federal money-laundering trial in Manhattan. The decision, confirmed by his legal team on July 29, 2025, comes as his defense fund approaches its $5 million goal. This case highlights the ongoing tension between regulatory authorities and privacy-focused crypto technologies, potentially impacting Ethereum's ecosystem and the broader DeFi landscape. The trial's outcome could set important precedents for decentralized finance (DeFi) developers and their liability for how others might use their protocols.

Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm Declines to Testify in Federal Money-Laundering Trial

Roman Storm, co-founder of the cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash, will not testify in his own defense during his high-profile money laundering trial in Manhattan federal court. The decision was confirmed by his legal team to U.S. District Court Judge Katherine Polk Failla on July 29, 2025.

Storm's silence comes as his defense fund nears its $5 million goal, with the developer appealing for last-minute contributions on social media. "Our lawyers and experts are working around the clock—we've forgotten what normal sleep feels like," Storm wrote in a July 26 post, emphasizing the mounting legal costs.

The case represents a landmark test of developer liability in the cryptocurrency space, particularly for privacy-focused protocols like Tornado Cash that operate on the ethereum blockchain. Legal observers note the outcome could set precedents affecting other decentralized finance projects.

DOJ Drops Potential Charges Against Dragonfly in Tornado Cash Case

The U.S. Department of Justice will not pursue criminal charges against crypto investment firm Dragonfly in connection with the Tornado Cash case, according to managing partner Haseeb Qureshi. The decision comes as Tornado Cash founder Roman Storm's federal trial nears its conclusion in Manhattan.

Federal prosecutors clarified in court that earlier media reports suggesting Dragonfly faced indictment were inaccurate. "Neither Dragonfly nor any of its principals are targets in their investigation," Qureshi stated in a social media post that included screenshots of court testimony.

The development marks a significant reversal after Qureshi had criticized the DOJ's initial statements as "unprecedented" and a potential violation of department policy. The case has drawn attention from across the crypto industry, with many viewing it as a bellwether for regulatory approaches to privacy-focused technologies.

Early Ethereum Whale Shifts Focus to DeSoc Presale Amid ETH Market Momentum

An early Ethereum investor, active since ETH traded below $10, has signaled intentions to participate in DeSoc's presale—a decentralized finance project that raised millions within days of launch. This move coincides with growing interest among Ethereum veterans seeking diversification beyond ETH, despite its strong market performance.

Ethereum's recent ETF inflows have been record-breaking, with 17 consecutive days of net inflows peaking at $726 million in a single day. The cryptocurrency now trades above $3,700, with analysts predicting a long-term supply squeeze. A Golden Cross formation against Bitcoin further suggests potential altcoin cycle momentum.

Yet, some whales are rotating capital into projects like DeSoc, drawn by the prospect of early-stage upside reminiscent of Ethereum's early days. "Ethereum is no longer a ground-floor asset," notes one observer, highlighting the shifting calculus among large holders.

Ethereum’s 10-Year Anniversary: Bullish Price Forecasts for the Next Decade

Ethereum (ETH) marks its 10-year anniversary this week, celebrating a decade of transformative growth in the blockchain space. The network and its native token have surged to new heights, with ETH trading above $3,800 at press time—a 5% weekly gain and a 50% monthly rally. Institutional interest and bullish chart patterns suggest further upside, potentially pushing the token to $4,000 by July.

Analysts are already looking beyond 2025, with CoinCodex projecting ETH could breach $10,000 by 2030—a 100%+ surge from current levels. The asset’s momentum is bolstered by widening adoption, including notable interest from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Investors who bought ETH three months ago have more than doubled their capital, underscoring its explosive potential.

Pudgy Penguins' Resurgence: From NFT Flameout to Brand-Building Powerhouse

Pudgy Penguins, once a celebrated NFT collection that nearly collapsed under unfulfilled promises, has staged a remarkable comeback. The project's 8,888 Ethereum-based cartoon penguins sold out in 30 minutes during its July 2021 launch, only to face community backlash when founders failed to deliver on roadmaps.

The turnaround came through a rare community-led coup. 'The Huddle' voted out the original team, demonstrating decentralized governance in action. Entrepreneur Luca Netz acquired the project for 750 ETH ($2.5 million at the time) in April 2022, pivoting from digital collectibles to physical brand building.

Netz's strategy focused on real-world IP expansion, notably through retail partnerships with Walmart, Target, and Walgreens. The recent launch of PENGU token marks the next phase of this phoenix-like revival, though questions remain about long-term sustainability in a volatile NFT market.

Coinbase's Base Network Launches Free Security Review Program for Builders

Coinbase's LAYER 2 network Base has introduced a free security review initiative for developers, mirroring Arbitrum's recent $14 million audit subsidy program. The move underscores the growing emphasis on security infrastructure as Ethereum scaling solutions compete for developer mindshare.

Base's program offers selected projects scoped code reviews, vulnerability assessments, and remediation guidance—all at no cost. This builds on the network's existing Hexagate-powered monitoring tools, positioning Base as a security-focused contender in the race to onboard mainstream users.

The Coinbase Protocol Security team brings institutional-grade auditing experience to the initiative, having previously scrutinized major DeFi protocols. Their new streamlined process targets high-risk attack vectors during development phases—a proactive approach contrasting with traditional post-deployment audits.