Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm Will Not Take the Stand, Lawyers Say

Roman Storm, a Tornado Cash developer, is on trial in Manhattan for allegedly facilitating over $1 billion in money laundering by hackers and cybercriminals through his privacy tool. He chose not to testify in his own defense, and his legal team rested their case after presenting evidence over three days.

The defense argued that Tornado Cash, while misused, was a legitimate privacy tool whose immutable nature limited their ability to prevent malicious activity. They emphasized that Storm and his co-founders profited from TORN token sales, not directly from Tornado Cash transactions. Contrary to the prosecution’s portrayal, messages revealed Storm’s concern over hackers using the platform. Following significant hacks like the Ronin Bridge ($600 million stolen) and Harmony Horizon Bridge breaches, Storm expressed his displeasure and discussed blocking offenders’ wallets. He advocated for informing users of their intentions to prevent malicious actors from using the service.

Expert witness testimony highlighted the value of privacy in cryptocurrency transactions. Dr. Matthew Green, a Johns Hopkins University professor, testified that the lack of privacy in most cryptocurrencies is a significant security flaw. He explained that without tools like Tornado Cash, Ethereum users expose sensitive information with every transaction, increasing vulnerability to various attacks, including phishing, fraud, and increasingly common “wrench attacks.” He provided expert testimony for the defense pro bono.

The trial now proceeds to closing statements, where both sides will summarize their arguments. The judge will then instruct the jury on the charges before they deliberate on the verdict. The jury’s decision will determine whether Tornado Cash is viewed as a tool facilitating criminal activity or a legitimate privacy tool exploited by malicious actors.