Roman Storm to Skip Testimony in Federal Money Laundering Trial Amid $1 Billion Sanctions Case

Roman Storm, the co-founder of the decentralized crypto mixer Tornado Cash, has opted not to testify in his federal money laundering trial in Manhattan, as confirmed by his legal representatives on July 29, 2025 [1]. During a court session with U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, Storm confirmed he would not take the stand, despite being informed by the judge that he had the right to do so. His attorney, Seth Klein, stated, "My client is not going to testify," to which Storm affirmed, "Yes, your honor" [2]. The decision aligns with a defensive strategy to avoid self-incrimination in a case where prosecutors allege he helped launder over $1 billion in illicit funds, including hundreds of millions linked to North Korea’s Lazarus Group cybercrime network [3].

The trial, which began in July 2025, is part of a broader U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) crackdown on cryptocurrency-related financial crimes. Storm and fellow co-founder Roman Semenov were indicted in August 2023 on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and sanctions violations. If convicted, Storm faces a potential maximum sentence of 45 years in federal prison [1]. Prosecutors have outlined a case based on digital transaction trails, financial records, and testimony from cooperating witnesses. The absence of Storm’s testimony is expected to shift the focus to circumstantial evidence and the actions of co-defendants to establish his role in the alleged scheme.

Storm’s legal team has been fundraising aggressively to cover mounting defense costs, with a public campaign raising over $4.5 million toward a $5 million goal by mid-July 2025 [2]. In a public plea for support, Storm described the relentless pace of the defense team’s work, writing, “We’ve forgotten what normal sleep feels like. Every hour counts, and so do the costs.” The trial has drawn attention from the crypto community and regulators, with many viewing it as a test of how traditional legal frameworks apply to decentralized technologies [3].

Legal analysts note that Storm’s decision to remain silent is not uncommon in high-stakes federal cases where evidence is strong and the risk of self-incrimination is high. However, it also highlights the gravity of the charges and the DOJ’s commitment to enforcing anti-money laundering laws in the digital age. The outcome of the case is expected to set a precedent in how U.S. courts handle complex financial crimes involving cryptocurrency and decentralized systems [1].

The trial is ongoing, with no final verdict yet rendered. If convicted, Storm could face a lengthy prison term and significant fines, reinforcing the DOJ’s message that participation in financial crime—whether through traditional or digital means—will not be tolerated.

Source:

[1] Las noticias de hoy sobre criptomonedas (https://www.binance.com/es-MX/square/news/all)