TechFlow, July 31 — According to Cointelegraph, closing arguments in the trial of Roman Storm, co-founder of cryptocurrency mixing service Tornado Cash, have concluded, and the case is now with the jury for deliberation. Prosecutors charge Storm with three counts: conspiracy to commit money laundering, violating U.S. sanctions, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gianforti stated that Tornado Cash was used to transfer funds following several major security incidents, including the hacks of KuCoin and Ronin, and pointed out that the platform moved $350 million for the sanctioned Lazarus Group wallet after sanctions were announced. Defense attorney David Patton emphasized that Storm never intended to assist criminals, and argued that merely knowing criminal actors used the product is insufficient for conviction—prosecutors must prove intentional intent to aid criminal activity.
