Lawyers for Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm are reportedly weighing a potential mistrial after raising concerns about the government’s evidence. According to the defense, prosecutors called a victim of a pig butchering scam to the stand who may never have used the privacy-preserving crypto mixer.
As Storm heads into the second week of his trial, Storm’s lawyer David Patton pushed against the witness’ assertion that her stolen crypto had been laundered through Tornado Cash, according to reporting from DL News and CoinDesk.
Hanfeng Ling had earlier testified that she had fallen for a pig butchering scam in 2021 and said that a “crypto recovery service” she had used had said some of the funds had gone through Tornado Cash. However, over the weekend, Storm’s lawyers said they were not able to track Ling’s funds to Tornado Cash.
Ethereum security expert Taylor Monahan posted on X over the weekend that scammers do not use Tornado Cash. In a series a posts, Monahan detailed why she believed the funds did not go through Tornado Cash.
“Due to the aforementioned crackhead explosion tracing, I already knew that her funds did NOT go to Tornado,” Monahan said. “I have no clue what they were tracing. There’s no Tornado Cash.”
Storm’s trial began last week in a federal court in Manhattan. In 2023, Storm was charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and sanctions violations for operating Tornado Cash. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 45 years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty.
© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Trade Crypto On Coinhub Exchange
Stay ahead of the market by turning news insights into trading opportunities. With Coinhub Exchange, you can seamlessly buy, sell, and manage your digital assets, all in one secure platform. Take advantage of real-time market insights, deep liquidity, and fast execution for your favorite cryptocurrencies. Don’t just read about it — trade crypto now!
Disclaimer
The content of this article shown by Coinhub News, powered by The Block, is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Coinhub News and its affiliates are not a licensed financial advisor, legal advisor, broker, or tax advisor, and ... should not be considered as professional advice or a recommendation to engage in any specific investment, legal decision, or financial transaction. Cryptocurrency markets are highly speculative and volatile. Readers should perform their own independent research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial or legal decisions. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Company of its affiliates. Additionally, the Company does not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or completeness of any information in this article. By accessing this content, you acknowledge that any reliance on the information contained in this article is solely at your own risk. The Company is not responsible for any financial losses, legal disputes, or other damages that may arise from reliance on this content or from any investment or legal decisions based on the information provided. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risks, including the risk of losing your entire investment, and you should carefully consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances.
Read more
