Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm Declines to Testify in $1B Money Laundering Trial

Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, has chosen not to testify in his high-profile money laundering trial in Manhattan. Storm faces allegations that the privacy-focused crypto mixer enabled hackers and cybercriminals to launder over $1 billion in illicit funds. Prosecutors cite major incidents, including the $600 million Ronin Bridge hack and the Harmony Horizon Bridge exploit, where North Korean hackers allegedly funneled stolen assets through Tornado Cash.

During three days of testimony, Storm’s defense team, led by Waymaker LLP attorneys Keri Axel and Brian Klein, argued that Tornado Cash was designed as a legitimate privacy tool for Ethereum users and was immutable, preventing developers from blocking bad actors. Evidence presented included messages between Storm and co-founder Roman Semenov expressing frustration over hackers exploiting the platform. In one exchange, Storm called the hackers’ activity “very serious” and pushed to block their wallets from the interface.

Expert witness Dr. Matthew Green, a cryptography professor at Johns Hopkins University, testified that cryptocurrency transactions expose sensitive user data, making privacy tools like Tornado Cash critical for protection against phishing, fraud, and physical threats.

While prosecutors portrayed Storm and his team as indifferent to victims, the defense highlighted their efforts to discourage illicit use and underscored the broader value of financial privacy.

The trial, taking place in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, is nearing conclusion. Closing arguments are expected next, after which the jury will deliberate on Storm’s fate — a verdict closely watched by the crypto industry amid growing regulatory scrutiny of privacy protocols.