Crypto Industry Unites: 65+ Organizations Demand Trump Halt Roman Storm Prosecution
Crypto's political awakening hits Washington with unprecedented force.
The Coalition Forms
Over sixty-five blockchain advocacy groups, exchanges, and development teams have launched a coordinated campaign targeting the Trump administration. Their unified demand? Immediate cessation of all legal proceedings against Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm.
Industry Mobilization
The coalition represents the sector's largest organized political action to date. From DeFi protocols to mining operations, participants span the entire crypto ecosystem. Their collective message challenges what they call "regulatory overreach threatening innovation."
Political Calculus
Timing suggests strategic positioning ahead of potential policy shifts. The industry appears betting that election-year politics might favor their cause—though whether politicians understand blockchain any better than they understand quantitative easing remains questionable.
This isn't just about one developer's fate. It's the crypto industry drawing its line in the sand—and daring Washington to cross it.
TLDR:
- Crypto groups urge Trump to help clear Tornado Cash dev Roman Storm’s case.
- Over 65 crypto organizations demand clarity on digital asset regulations.
- Roman Storm faces charges that could harm U.S. open-source software development.
- Crypto industry advocates for tax clarity and protection from overbearing regulations.
- Legal experts warn Roman Storm’s case could set a precedent for DeFi developers.
Over 65 cryptocurrency organizations have called on President Donald Trump to intervene in the prosecution of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm. The coalition includes major crypto industry groups, DeFi builders, and investors. They argue that Storm’s case threatens the future of open-source development and could set a harmful precedent for software developers across the U.S.
The groups’ letter urges the administration to drop all charges against Storm and deliver clearer regulatory frameworks for digital assets. These organizations believe that Storm’s work on Tornado Cash, a decentralized privacy tool, should not be viewed as criminal activity. They insist that open-source software development is protected under the First Amendment and should not face legal challenges.
Crypto Industry Requests Clarification of Regulations
The letter also calls for immediate tax clarity from the U.S. Treasury and IRS, particularly on issues like staking rewards and cross-chain transfers. The signatories stress that regulatory uncertainty has pushed much of the industry offshore. They urge the administration to protect decentralized finance (DeFi) from overbearing regulations and provide clearer guidance for developers and businesses in the crypto space.
One of the primary concerns is the lack of clarity surrounding the tax treatment of various crypto activities. The letter requests that the IRS confirm that using crypto as collateral for loans is not taxable. They also ask for digital asset donations to be treated the same as donations of stocks, addressing gaps in the current tax rules.
Storm’s Legal Battle Continues Amid Growing Advocacy
Roman Storm faces legal challenges following his conviction in August 2025 for running an unlicensed money transmitting service. The jury could not reach a verdict on more serious charges of money laundering and sanctions violations. Despite the conviction, many within the crypto community believe the charges are unjust and politically motivated.
Storm has maintained his innocence, claiming that his role in developing Tornado Cash was purely technical and not related to illegal activities. His supporters argue that the case could discourage developers from creating decentralized software in the U.S. The ongoing legal battle could potentially set a dangerous precedent for open-source developers if the charges are upheld.
The Department of Justice has yet to confirm whether they will retry Storm on the remaining charges. Legal experts expect that Storm’s defense team will cite recent Justice Department guidelines, which state that developing decentralized software should not be classified as illegal money transmission. The final outcome of this case could significantly impact the future of cryptocurrency development in the U.S.
