Trial of Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm Delayed to April 2025
Nov 2, 2024
2 min read
The trial of Roman Storm, a developer associated with the controversial cryptocurrency mixing service Tornado Cash, has been postponed to April 2025. Originally set to begin in December, the delay was ordered by a New York judge to allow time for resolving disputes over expert witness disclosures.
Key Takeaways
Roman Storm's trial is now scheduled for April 14, 2025.
The delay is due to disagreements over expert witness disclosures.
Storm faces serious charges, including conspiracy to facilitate money laundering.
Background of the Case
Roman Storm has been charged with three serious offenses related to his work with Tornado Cash, a service that allows users to obscure their cryptocurrency transactions. The charges include:
Conspiracy to Facilitate Money Laundering
Conspiracy to Operate an Unlicensed Money Transmitter
Violating Sanctions
If convicted on all counts, Storm could face a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison.
The Delay Explained
The decision to delay the trial was made by Judge Katherine Polk Failla of the Southern District of New York. The four-month postponement aims to give both the defense and prosecution adequate time to address a disagreement that arose regarding the disclosure of expert witnesses. This issue first came to light when Judge Failla ordered both parties to exchange information about potential expert witnesses they might call during the trial.
Storm's legal team, led by attorney Brian Klein from Waymaker LLP, has expressed concerns that complying with the judge's order would compromise their defense strategy. In a court filing dated October 14, Klein argued that revealing their expert witnesses would "greatly prejudice Mr. Storm" and could violate federal rules governing criminal proceedings.
Legal Maneuvering
In response to the judge's order, Storm's defense team has filed a mandamus petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This legal maneuver seeks to overturn Judge Failla's ruling regarding the disclosure of expert witnesses. A hearing on this petition is scheduled for November 12, 2024.
Implications for the Cryptocurrency Community
The case against Roman Storm has significant implications for the broader cryptocurrency community, particularly regarding the legal status of mixing services like Tornado Cash. As regulatory scrutiny of the cryptocurrency industry intensifies, the outcome of this trial could set important precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future.
Conclusion
As the trial date approaches, all eyes will be on the proceedings and the legal arguments presented by both sides. The outcome could have lasting effects on the cryptocurrency landscape, especially for developers and services that operate in the gray areas of the law. With the trial now set for April 2025, the coming months will be crucial for both Roman Storm and the future of cryptocurrency regulation.
Sources
Tornado Cash Developer Roman Storm’s Trial Delayed Until April, CoinDesk.
El juicio de Roman Storm, promotor de Tornado Cash, se aplaza a abril, CoinDesk.
Julgamento do desenvolvedor do Tornado Cash, Roman Storm, é adiado para abril, CoinDesk.
Ang Pagsubok ng Tornado Cash Developer na Roman Storm ay Itinulak sa Abril, CoinDesk.