Roman Storm, co-founder of crypto mixer Tornado Cash, is urgently seeking $500,000 to cover escalating legal fees as his trial for money laundering and sanctions violations begins Monday. Facing up to 45 years in prison, Storm says the case threatens not just his freedom but the future of open-source software development.

In a post on X, Storm said he is dealing with a “critical shortfall” in funding. He estimates his total legal bill will now reach $3.5 million, up from earlier projections of $2 million. The rise is due to a potentially four-week-long trial, twice the initial estimate, driven by new witnesses and complex legal challenges. So far, Storm has raised around $1.96 million—57% of his target.

Storm was arrested in August 2023 on charges of money laundering, operating an unlicensed money transmitter, and violating U.S. sanctions. His legal team recently tried to delay the trial after prosecutors disclosed a witness beyond the deadline, but the judge denied the request. Judge Katherine Failla also ruled that references to now-rescinded Treasury sanctions against Tornado Cash would not be allowed in court.

Backers argue Storm is being punished for writing code. The DeFi Education Fund and other crypto advocates have called the case a “lawless prosecution” of software developers. The Ethereum Foundation pledged $500,000 and committed to match up to $750,000 in additional donations. MetaCartel DAO has also donated its entire treasury to Storm’s defense.

Storm's plea for support is framed as a broader fight against government overreach and a defense of digital freedoms as his high-stakes trial looms.