Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, is now awaiting the jury's decision after closing arguments in his trial. Prosecutors allege Storm conspired to launder money, violated US sanctions, and operated an unlicensed money-transmitting business, facing a potential sentence of over 40 years if convicted. They argued that Tornado Cash facilitated money laundering for criminal activities, particularly pointing to its use following significant hacks like KuCoin and Ronin, where large amounts were laundered through the platform. Conversely, Storm's defense claimed that Tornado Cash, like many technology products, is also used by non-criminals and emphasized that intent is crucial in determining guilt. The defense contended that Storm never intended for Tornado Cash to aid criminals and distinguished this case from civil negligence, requiring proof of willful intent. As the jury begins deliberation, the trial could set significant precedents for developers of decentralized software regarding their legal responsibilities.

Source 🔗