More than 65 cryptocurrency organizations are calling on President Trump to intervene in the legal case against Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, whose future remains uncertain following one felony conviction and potential retrial on two additional charges. The advocacy groups, including the Solana Policy Institute, Blockchain Association, and DeFi Education Fund, are seeking regulatory clarity and protection for decentralized finance amid ongoing prosecution, highlighting the escalating tension between crypto innovation and regulatory enforcement in the United States.
about Crypto Groups Urge Trump to Intervene in Tornado Cash CaseRoman Storm
0 posts last weekSamourai Wallet Founders Face Sentencing in $237M Crypto Laundering Case
The founders of Samourai Wallet face sentencing this week after pleading guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitter that laundered hundreds of millions in criminal proceeds. Prosecutors allege the defendants actively marketed their crypto mixing service as a tool for criminals to conceal illicit funds. The case represents one of the government’s most aggressive prosecutions of crypto developers to date.
about Samourai Wallet Founders Face Sentencing in $237M Crypto Laundering CaseDeFi Developers Face Retroactive Prosecution Risk
Open source software developers building decentralized finance protocols face significant legal uncertainty in the United States, with current laws failing to provide explicit protections against retroactive prosecution by the Department of Justice. Roman Storm, creator of the Tornado Cash privacy protocol, has sounded the alarm about how DeFi developers could face charges as unregistered money service businesses for building non-custodial protocols, highlighting the legal ambiguity threatening innovation in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency space.
about DeFi Developers Face Retroactive Prosecution RiskTornado Cash Founder Seeks Acquittal in Landmark Crypto Case
Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm has launched a legal challenge seeking to overturn his conviction for unlicensed money transmission, arguing prosecutors failed to prove he intended to help criminals misuse the cryptocurrency mixing service. In a motion filed with the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Storm’s defense team contends the government’s case relies on a “negligence theory” rather than demonstrating actual criminal intent, setting up a pivotal test for how US courts handle decentralized finance protocols and their creators.
about Tornado Cash Founder Seeks Acquittal in Landmark Crypto CaseDurov: French Intel Sought Moldova Election Censorship
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has accused French intelligence of exploiting his legal situation to pressure the removal of opposition channels during Moldova’s elections. The allegations emerge amid ongoing parliamentary voting marked by claims of Russian interference. The case highlights growing state pressure on digital platforms and privacy-focused technologies, with significant implications for both messaging apps and cryptocurrency networks.
about Durov: French Intel Sought Moldova Election CensorshipSolana Donates $500K to Tornado Cash Developers’ Defense
The Solana Policy Institute’s $500,000 donation to Tornado Cash developers Roman Storm and Alexey Pertsev represents a significant stand against the criminalization of software development. Both developers face prison sentences—Storm convicted of operating an illegal money transmitting business in the U.S., and Pertsev found guilty of money laundering in the Netherlands. The institute argues these prosecutions set a dangerous precedent that could chill innovation by holding developers liable for how others misuse their tools. This comes amid a potential policy shift from the Trump DOJ, which recently indicated it may stop pursuing similar charges against developers of ‘truly decentralized’ software. The donation also counters criticism that Solana supporters wouldn’t support Ethereum-based developers, showing industry unity on fundamental principles.
about Solana Donates $500K to Tornado Cash Developers' DefenseU.S. Sanctions North Korean IT Crypto Theft Ring
The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against a transnational network involving North Korean, Russian, and Chinese entities for orchestrating cryptocurrency theft schemes through IT worker infiltration. North Korean operatives posed as remote workers to gain access to foreign companies, stealing crypto that was subsequently converted to U.S. dollars and funneled to support the regime’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The operation highlights Pyongyang’s sophisticated global IT fraud capabilities, which have raised hundreds of millions over several years. The sanctions target individuals including a Russian national who aided currency conversion and a China-based front company. This action continues efforts against North Korean crypto theft, though the current administration has shown a different approach to targeting coin mixing services compared to its predecessor.
about U.S. Sanctions North Korean IT Crypto Theft RingTornado Cash Founder Guilty: Legal Precedent Set
In August 2025, the US District Court convicted Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm for conspiracy related to unlicensed money transmission and sanctions violations. The case centers on whether developers can be held liable for misuse of their open-source code. Critics argue the ruling sets a dangerous precedent, potentially stifling innovation by exposing developers to legal risks for third-party misuse. Tornado Cash, an Ethereum-based privacy tool, has been scrutinized for enabling money laundering, though Storm maintained he had no control over its post-deployment use. The verdict challenges First Amendment protections for code as speech and could deter privacy-focused projects in the US. Legal experts warn the decision blurs the line between tool creation and criminal facilitation.
about Tornado Cash Founder Guilty: Legal Precedent SetTurkish Arrest of Ethereum Developer Sparks Crypto Concerns
Turkish authorities detained Ethereum developer Fede’s Intern in Izmir, accusing him of enabling misuse of the blockchain network. The developer denied wrongdoing, stating he would cooperate but warned against criminalizing legitimate development. The incident follows Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm’s conviction, fueling concerns over increasing legal pressures on crypto builders. Industry figures like Ryan Sean Adams and Rasit Tavus questioned the motives behind the arrest, with speculation about international involvement. The case has cast doubt on Turkey’s suitability for Ethereum’s Devcon 2026.
about Turkish Arrest of Ethereum Developer Sparks Crypto ConcernsBitcoin Stalls as Altcoins Surge on US Regulatory Shifts
The cryptocurrency market experienced heightened volatility over the past week, with Bitcoin ending flat despite a rollercoaster ride that saw it drop to $112,000 before recovering. The market was buoyed by two major regulatory developments: US President Donald Trump signed an executive order permitting Bitcoin and other digital assets in 401(k) retirement plans, and Ripple’s long-standing legal battle with the SEC neared its end as both parties agreed to dismiss appeals. Altcoins like Ethereum (up 9%), XRP (up 6%), and Cardano (up 9.6%) outperformed Bitcoin, which remained stagnant. Other notable events included Bitcoin miners holding strong amid price surges, a bold $250K BTC prediction from Arthur Hayes, and Ethereum’s proposed fee structure overhaul via EIP-7999. The week highlighted how regulatory clarity can drive market movements, with altcoins benefiting the most.
about Bitcoin Stalls as Altcoins Surge on US Regulatory ShiftsEthereum Foundation Backs Tornado Cash Dev’s Legal Fight
Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm faces up to five years in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitter, while two other charges remain unresolved. The Ethereum Foundation announced a $500,000 matching pledge for his legal defense, framing the case as a threat to open-source development. Meanwhile, Samourai Wallet’s founders pleaded guilty to similar charges, underscoring regulators’ aggressive stance against privacy tools. Legal experts warn the verdict could set a dangerous precedent for developers of non-custodial protocols, with Storm’s appeal likely to test the boundaries of financial crime statutes applied to code.
about Ethereum Foundation Backs Tornado Cash Dev's Legal FightTornado Cash Developer Faces Possible Retrial After Hung Jury
The trial of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm has ended with a hung jury on charges of money laundering and sanctions violations, leaving the door open for a potential retrial by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). Storm was convicted on one felony count for conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business. Legal experts suggest the DOJ will decide soon whether to pursue a new trial, highlighting the ongoing legal scrutiny of crypto privacy tools. The case underscores the regulatory challenges facing developers in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.
about Tornado Cash Developer Faces Possible Retrial After Hung Jury