Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm is witnessing a surge in donations to his legal defense fund following a partial verdict in his federal trial. The renewed funding push comes as his legal team prepares for the possibility of a retrial on charges of money laundering and sanctions violations.
The Ethereum Foundation announced on Thursday it will match up to $500,000 in donations, significantly boosting the fundraising campaign. Storm had previously set a goal of $1.5 million to cover mounting legal expenses.
Partial Verdict Opens Door to Retrial
Earlier this week, a jury found Storm guilty of operating an unlicensed money transmitter but was deadlocked on two other counts, resulting in a mistrial for those charges. Legal experts note that hung jury outcomes do not trigger double jeopardy, meaning the U.S. Department of Justice could retry the unresolved counts.
“Mistrials by hung juries do not trigger double jeopardy, so the defendant can be tried again,” said Brandon Ferrick, general counsel at Douro Labs.
However, attorneys remain uncertain about whether prosecutors will pursue a new trial. Aaron Brogan, a criminal defense lawyer, commented:
“I think it’s reasonable to conclude that the government might not retry the mistried count of money laundering, given the political posturing.”
Broader Impact on Open-Source Development
The case has drawn sharp criticism from digital rights advocates and crypto industry leaders, who argue it could set a dangerous precedent for open-source software developers and privacy-focused protocols. Critics warn that targeting developers for the actions of users undermines innovation in decentralized finance.
Both Ferrick and Brogan expect the appeals process to become the central battleground in the coming months. The defense is anticipated to challenge Storm’s conviction under Section 1960, a statute regulating money transmitters that has been heavily debated over the past year.
As Storm wrote in a recent appeal for donations:
“Legal costs are piling up fast, and we urgently need your help.”
With the crypto community rallying behind him, the next phase of the case could become a defining moment for privacy rights in blockchain technology.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.