Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, faces trial next month with grave implications for decentralized finance (DeFi). He voiced concerns on social media that a loss in court would threaten the future of DeFi, stating, 'If I lose, DeFi dies with me.' Charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmission business, Storm argues that developers shouldn't be held responsible for how their software is used. His platform allows users to obscure transactions, making it popular among privacy advocates but also misused by criminals. Despite the DOJ's recent policy shift indicating a softer approach towards cryptocurrency mixing services following changes in the Trump administration, Storm’s case persists, highlighting ongoing tensions between regulation and innovation in the blockchain space. Advocates for DeFi emphasize that prosecution could destabilize the foundation of decentralized finance, signaling a critical moment for the community as they rally support for Storm’s defense fund, underscoring the stakes involved in the trial.

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