DOJ Is Considering Charging Crypto VC Firm Dragonfly in Connection With Tornado Cash
The U.S. Department of Justice is contemplating bringing charges against Dragonfly Capital Partners and its general partner Tom Schmidt due to their investment in Tornado Cash developer Pepper Sec Inc. This consideration was revealed during the criminal trial of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm. Dragonfly's investment in 2020 has come under scrutiny, with federal prosecutors stating they seized Schmidt's devices and conducted a raid on his home as part of the investigation. Dragonfly co-founder Haseeb Qureshi expressed confidence in complying with the law and indicated the firm would vigorously defend itself against any charges. The trial of Roman Storm could set important legal precedents regarding the responsibilities of software developers. Tornado Cash is an Ethereum-based coin mixer that enables users to obscure transaction origins, raising concerns about its use in potential money laundering. Storm faces significant prison time for reportedly operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and violating sanctions. The developments signal ongoing scrutiny in the crypto space regarding developer liability and regulatory compliance.
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