Storm Seeks $1.5M More as Tornado Cash Trial Costs Climb

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Roman Storm Seeks $1.5 Million More as Tornado Cash Trial Costs Climb

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: July 28, 2025

Key Takeaways

Roman Storm is requesting another $1.5 million in donations as legal costs continue to grow during his ongoing trial;
Over $3.9 million has been raised so far, including $3.2 million for Storm’s defense fund and $750,000 from the Ethereum Foundation;
Prosecutors claim Storm broke the law with Tornado Cash, while his team argues it is decentralized code protected by free speech rights.

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Roman Storm Seeks $1.5 Million More as Tornado Cash Trial Costs Climb

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The developer of Tornado Cash Roman Storm has asked for another $1.5 million to help pay his legal expenses.

On July 26, he posted on X asking for urgent help. "It sounds crazy, but I need again $1.5mm", he wrote. In another post, he explained that his lawyers have not had proper rest and that every hour of work adds to the total bill.

To date, the crypto community has donated more than $3.9 million to support his legal fight. His website shows that over $3.2 million of that has gone directly to his Legal Defense Fund, about 65% of a new $5 million goal.

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The Ethereum ETH $3,729.35 Foundation has also reached its separate $750,000 goal to support its defense.

US prosecutors claimed Storm helped businesses move illegal funds, broke sanctions rules, and ran an unregistered money-transmitting business through Tornado Cash.

Storm's legal team said Tornado Cash is a decentralized tool that no one could control after its launch. They have pointed to a 2019 notice from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which stated that developers of privacy software are not required to register as money transmitters.

They are also arguing that writing and sharing computer code is a form of free speech, which is protected under the First Amendment in the United States.

The trial is expected to wrap up around August 11, according to Storm's website.

Recently, Storm's legal team told a judge that they may request to cancel the trial due to a witness they believe has no connection to the case. Why? Read the full story.