DOJ Drops Part of Case Against Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm, Maintains Core Charges

The U.S. Department of Justice has scaled back its case against Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm, abandoning a charge related to money transmitter registration rules. Prosecutors cited a recent policy memo as the basis for this adjustment.

Despite this concession, the DOJ remains committed to pursuing three serious allegations: knowingly transmitting criminal proceeds, money laundering conspiracy, and sanctions violations. The trial is set for July 14, 2025, signaling the government’s continued focus on cryptocurrency-related financial crimes.

This development highlights the evolving regulatory landscape for privacy-focused crypto tools. While some charges may be reconsidered under new policies, authorities demonstrate unwavering intent to prosecute what they perceive as deliberate facilitation of illicit finance.