US Prosecutors Move to Block Testimony on Crypto Kidnappings in Tornado Cash Case
US attorneys are pushing forward with their case against Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, calling witnesses and filing a motion to exclude testimony related to cryptocurrency-linked kidnappings and torture. The legal battle continues as prosecutors aim to narrow the focus of the trial, arguing that such testimony is irrelevant to the charges against Storm.
The motion seeks to prevent the defense from introducing evidence about violent crimes involving cryptocurrency, including cases where victims were allegedly kidnapped and tortured for their crypto assets. Prosecutors claim these incidents have no bearing on Storm’s alleged violations of money laundering and sanctions laws through his role in developing Tornado Cash, a privacy-focused crypto mixing service.
Storm and his legal team have previously suggested that testimony about crypto-related crimes could help demonstrate the broader context of how digital assets are used—or misused—in criminal activities. However, the prosecution argues that such details would only serve to distract the jury from the core issues of the case.
Tornado Cash, an Ethereum-based mixing service, has been at the center of regulatory scrutiny since the US Treasury sanctioned it in 2022, alleging it facilitated money laundering for cybercriminals, including North Korean hacking groups. Storm and fellow co-founder Roman Semenov were later charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, operating an unlicensed money transmitter, and violating sanctions laws. Semenov remains at large, while Storm was arrested in 2023.
The case has drawn significant attention in the crypto community, with privacy advocates arguing that holding developers liable for how their software is used sets a dangerous precedent. The defense has maintained that Tornado Cash was designed as a neutral tool, not intended for illicit purposes.
As the trial progresses, the court’s decision on whether to allow testimony about crypto-related kidnappings could influence the direction of the case. If blocked, the defense may have to rely on other arguments to counter the government’s allegations.
The outcome could also have broader implications for crypto developers, particularly those working on privacy-enhancing technologies. Legal experts suggest that a conviction could lead to increased regulatory pressure on similar projects, while an acquittal might reinforce the argument that code is protected speech under the First Amendment.
With hearings ongoing, the crypto industry is closely watching how the case unfolds, as it may shape future legal interpretations of developer liability in decentralized finance.
