U.S. Department of Justice Reopens Case Against Tornado Cash Co-Founder Roman Storm, Reigniting Two Cryptocurrency Crime Charges

On March 9, news reports revealed that U.S. Department of Justice has officially requested a rehearing for Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm. The rehearing involves two key charges, including money laundering and violation of sanctions. In the initial trial, the jury failed to reach a consensus on these charges, so the case remains unresolved.

According to the disclosure, although Roman Storm has filed a motion under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 29 to overturn his previous conviction for “unlicensed remittance business,” the motion is still under review. Meanwhile, U.S. prosecutors have proposed a new schedule, suggesting the rehearing take place in early October 2026.

This case is seen as one of the significant legal actions by U.S. regulators against privacy-focused encryption protocols. Tornado Cash, a blockchain-based mixing tool, has been under regulatory scrutiny due to its anonymous transaction capabilities. Authorities believe such technology could be used to hide illegal funds and evade sanctions.

Market observers note that the outcome of this rehearing could have far-reaching impacts on privacy tools in crypto, blockchain compliance regulation, and developers’ legal responsibilities. As U.S. regulatory frameworks tighten around crypto technology, similar cases are becoming key indicators of the evolving legal landscape for digital assets.