Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash, has warned that if he loses his upcoming trial, it could spell the end for decentralized finance (DeFi). Charged by the DOJ in 2023 with conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitter business, Storm argues that the prosecution unjustly targets software developers for how their technology is used. His comments highlight the chilling effect a potential conviction could have on DeFi principles. Storm's situation gained attention after Trump’s DOJ appeared to show leniency toward crypto regulations; however, the DOJ reverted this stance, reaffirming its pursuit of charges against Storm. Industry advocates, including the Ethereum Foundation, have voiced support for Storm, emphasizing that writing code shouldn’t be seen as a crime and even providing funding for his defense. The impending trial raises significant concerns about the implications of holding developers liable for their software’s usage, marking a critical point for the future of DeFi.

Source 🔗