TL;DR
- More than 65 blockchain companies and organizations sent a letter to Trump requesting his intervention in the case of Roman Storm, co-founder of Tornado Cash.
- Storm was found guilty of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, but he maintains his innocence, arguing that “writing code is not a crime.”
- The letter calls on the DOJ to drop the pending charges, asks the SEC and CFTC to provide regulatory clarity, and requests improved tax guidance to foster innovation.
More than 65 blockchain companies and organizations sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting his intervention in the legal case of Roman Storm, co-founder and developer of Tornado Cash.
Federal prosecutors are preparing for a retrial. The letter aims to protect good-faith software development and draw attention to the need for clear and balanced policies in the U.S. crypto sector.
Tornado Cash as a Tool for Financial Freedom
Storm was found guilty of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, one of the three felony charges he faced. The jury could not reach a verdict on the remaining charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate sanctions.
Storm continues to plead not guilty, arguing that “writing code is not a crime,” a stance supported by many in the industry who see Tornado Cash as a tool for privacy and financial freedom. The prospect of a retrial raises concerns about the impact that strict legal decisions could have on blockchain developers and projects.
More and Better Regulations
The letter was authored by several groups, including the Solana Policy Institute, Blockchain Association, and DeFi Education Fund. It requests that the Department of Justice drop the pending charges and that the SEC and CFTC provide regulatory clarity. It also calls for improved tax guidance to prevent blockchain activity from moving offshore and emphasizes the importance of policies that encourage innovation without criminalizing legitimate software development.
The groups argue that balanced government support can position the United States as a global leader in blockchain technology while strengthening regulation in a fair and growth-oriented way. The letter stresses that swift administrative actions, combined with legislative efforts, could deliver immediate benefits to the crypto ecosystem and protect developers operating within the law.
The outcome of Storm and Tornado Cash’s case could set precedents for how blockchain developers are treated, influence regulatory clarity, and define the country’s stance on technological innovation. The industry is closely watching the litigation’s resolution
