TLDR
- Over 65 cryptocurrency firms urge President Trump to intervene in Roman Storm’s legal case and dismiss all charges against him.
- Roman Storm was convicted of operating an unlicensed money transmission service but acquitted of more serious charges like money laundering.
- The DOJ opposes Storm’s motion for acquittal despite comments suggesting that writing code without ill intent is not a crime.
- Prosecutor Danielle Sassoon’s testimony in the FTX legal saga is raising tensions and affecting charges against Ryan Salame’s former girlfriend.
- Storm’s case could set a legal precedent for how U.S. courts treat open-source software development within the cryptocurrency industry.
Over 65 cryptocurrency firms and advocacy groups are urging U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the legal case of Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm. The organizations, including the Solana Policy Institute and the Blockchain Association, have sent a letter to the administration requesting support for digital asset innovation. The letter calls for all charges against Storm to be dismissed, arguing that his actions were not criminal.
Storm was convicted of operating an unlicensed money transmission service in August 2023, following his involvement with Tornado Cash. However, he was acquitted of more serious charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering. Storm has consistently maintained that “writing code is not a crime,” stating that his contributions to Tornado Cash were purely the development of open-source software.
The advocacy groups argue that Storm’s actions align with free speech principles under the First Amendment. They call for the U.S. to be a safe environment for developers working on privacy and cryptographic tools. The letter further urges Trump to direct the IRS and the U.S. Treasury to clarify digital asset tax policy.
Department of Justice Stands Firm Against Storm’s Acquittal
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has remained firm in its opposition to Storm’s motion for acquittal. Despite recent comments by Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti, who stated that “merely writing code, without ill intent, is not a crime,” the DOJ continues to pursue the case. Galeotti made the statement at a recent crypto policy summit, but the DOJ filed a brief on Nov. 12 signaling their intent to keep pushing forward with the charges against Storm.
Storm’s legal team has repeatedly emphasized that his work with Tornado Cash was related to the creation of open-source software. The Justice Department’s opposition to his motion for acquittal suggests that it believes his actions were part of a broader criminal enterprise. Storm was indicted in August 2023 and faces potential additional charges, although no sentencing date has been set.
The legal battle over Roman Storm’s case is scheduled for a court conference on January 22, 2025. Both sides continue to prepare for the hearing, as the DOJ maintains its position, while Storm’s defense argues that his work was protected by free speech rights.
FTX Legal Saga Adds Tension in Storm’s Case
As the legal fallout from the FTX collapse continues, tensions are resurfacing with implications for Storm’s case. Prosecutor Danielle Sassoon testified in an evidentiary hearing tied to the plea deal of former FTX co-CEO Ryan Salame. Salame’s plea is now central to campaign finance charges against his former girlfriend, Michelle Bond.
During the hearing, Sassoon testified that Salame was told his cooperation would likely halt further investigation into his conduct. However, after Salame pleaded guilty, prosecutors continued their investigation, leading to charges against Bond related to campaign finance violations. Bond faces allegations of misusing $400,000 in funds from FTX to support her congressional campaign in 2022.
Bond has pleaded not guilty, arguing that Salame’s plea deal was manipulated, thereby tainting the charges against her. This case is one of the last remaining legal battles tied to the FTX scandal. If Bond’s case is dismissed, it could mark the end of the criminal proceedings related to the former FTX executives, except for Bankman-Fried.
Roman Storm’s Case Could Shape Crypto Legal Landscape
Roman Storm’s case could set a legal precedent for how the U.S. courts view cryptocurrency developers. His conviction has raised questions about whether developing open-source software could be classified as a criminal activity. The legal outcome may influence how future cases involving blockchain developers are prosecuted.
Storm’s defense insists that creating privacy-focused tools like Tornado Cash is part of the broader movement for digital freedom. As the cryptocurrency landscape grows, more attention is being paid to how governments handle software developers contributing to the ecosystem. Advocates argue that the case should reinforce the idea that code is speech, not a crime.
The court’s January decision could determine the direction of future legal challenges involving cryptocurrency developers. If Storm’s conviction is upheld, it could have a chilling effect on innovation within the industry. Conversely, if the charges are dismissed, it may strengthen the argument for more explicit legal protections for developers in the crypto space.
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