Defense Calls Ethereum Developer as Witness in Tornado Cash Trial
As prosecutors in the criminal trial of Tornado Cash co-founder and developer Roman Storm rested their case, the defense called Ethereum core developer Preston Van Loon to testify in Storm’s defense. Van Loon described Tornado Cash as a privacy tool for Ethereum and revealed that he had used the mixing service multiple times to protect his assets.
Van Loon expressed concerns about hackers targeting him if they knew the scope of his assets, highlighting the importance of privacy tools like Tornado Cash in the crypto space. The cross-examination by prosecutors focused on Van Loon’s personal connections to Storm and his use of traditional crypto platforms.
Storm, who faces charges of money laundering and conspiracy, is expected to wrap up his defense case within two weeks. His lawyers have requested modifications to jury instructions to clarify information on Tornado Cash and its alleged ties to North Korean hackers.
Facing Potential Prison Time
If convicted, Storm could potentially face years in prison, as the judge in the case has shown awareness of the severity of charges in other crypto-related cases. Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, for example, was sentenced to 25 years for multiple felony charges.
One of the other Tornado Cash co-founders, Alexey Pertsev, was sentenced to over five years in prison in 2024 for money laundering in the Netherlands. The outcome of Storm’s trial will have significant implications for the future of privacy tools in the crypto industry.
The defense’s strategy of calling a prominent Ethereum developer to testify underscores the importance of technical expertise in navigating complex legal issues surrounding cryptocurrency and privacy services.