Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm Found Guilty of Unlicensed Money Transmitting Conspiracy

A Manhattan jury convicted Tornado Cash co-developer Roman Storm of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, marking a pivotal moment in the U.S. government's crackdown on cryptocurrency privacy tools. The verdict followed a three-week trial that exposed the legal risks facing developers of decentralized financial infrastructure.

The jury deadlocked on more serious charges of money laundering conspiracy and sanctions violations, leaving prosecutors to decide whether to retry Storm. The case centered on allegations that Tornado Cash facilitated the laundering of over $1 billion for criminal entities, including North Korea's Lazarus Group.

Prosecutors immediately sought to revoke Storm's bail, citing his Russian heritage and alleged knowledge of immigration loopholes—claims defense attorneys vehemently disputed. The developer's fate now hangs in the balance as the court awaits sentencing and potential retrial decisions.