Crypto Community Raises $1.96 Million for Tornado Cash Co-Founder's Legal Defense

Roman Storm, the co-founder of the crypto mixing service Tornado Cash, has made an urgent appeal to the crypto community, seeking $500,000 in immediate funds to support his legal defense ahead of his trial scheduled for Monday. Storm is facing charges of money laundering and sanctions violations, and his legal team has projected that the total cost of his defense could reach $3.5 million. This figure is significantly higher than the initial estimate of $2 million, due to the complexity of the legal arguments and the unexpected witnesses and evidence that have emerged.

Storm's legal team has been working tirelessly to defend his right to free speech, protect software development, and challenge what they perceive as government overreach. The trial, which was initially expected to last two weeks, is now anticipated to extend up to four weeks. Storm was arrested in August 2023 on multiple counts, including money laundering, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitter, and conspiracy to violate US sanctions. If found guilty, he could face up to 45 years in prison.

In a recent development, Storm's legal team attempted to postpone the trial, citing that prosecutors disclosed a witness after the scheduled deadline had passed. However, Judge Katherine Failla, who is overseeing the case, ruled that any mention of the US Treasury’s sanctions levied against Tornado Cash, which were withdrawn in March, would not be allowed during the trial.

The crypto community has shown significant support for Storm. In April, the DeFi Education Fund petitioned the Trump administration to end what they described as the "lawless prosecution" of open-source software developers, including Roman Storm. Additionally, the Ethereum Foundation has pledged $500,000 to Storm’s defense and has agreed to match community donations up to $750,000. MetaCartel’s Bill Warren announced that the MetaCartel DAO has contributed all remaining funds in its treasury to support Storm’s legal battle.

As of the latest update, Storm has managed to raise approximately $1.96 million, which is about 57% of the $3.5 million goal. The donations, made in Ether (ETH), are subject to fluctuations based on the cryptocurrency's market value. The community's support underscores the broader implications of Storm's case, which many see as a test of the boundaries between free speech, software development, and government regulation in the digital age.