Tornado Cash Developer’s Defense Alleges DOJ Withheld Exculpatory Evidence

Roman Storm’s legal team has accused the U.S. Department of Justice of potentially withholding critical evidence in the Tornado Cash developer’s case. A Friday court filing reveals prosecutors allegedly possessed exculpatory materials since August 2023 that challenge whether noncustodial crypto mixers qualify as money transmitters under federal law.

The defense claims these materials, central to the case’s Core legal question, were not disclosed during Storm’s initial indictment proceedings. This development follows similar concerns about prosecutorial conduct in a parallel case, with attorneys suggesting the government may have misrepresented facts to the court.

The allegation raises fundamental questions about regulatory clarity for decentralized finance protocols. As the case progresses, its outcome could establish precedent for how noncustodial cryptocurrency services are treated under U.S. financial transmission statutes.