NEW YORK, New York —

The criminal trial of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm kicks off in Manhattan this Monday morning. This pivotal event will see Storm’s legal team and prosecutors engage in jury selection to commence a lengthy four-week trial.

Storm was apprehended in 2023 in Washington state and now faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business — misconduct that could lead to a hefty sentence of up to 45 years if he’s found guilty. Notably, his fellow Tornado Cash developer, Roman Semenov, is in a similar situation but remains elusive to authorities. Another associate, Alexey Pertsev, was previously convicted in the Netherlands and sentenced to five years.

At the core of Storm’s case is Tornado Cash, a platform accused of laundering over $1 billion in illicit funds for criminals such as the Lazarus Group, which allegedly breached U.S. sanctions. Storm’s defenders argue that he merely developed open-source software intended for privacy, thus shielding him from accountability for its misuse by others.

Mark Bini, a partner with Reed Smith, noted the fierce expectations for defense in this case, stating that the defense will emphasize Tornado Cash’s intention for privacy, despite its controversial usage.

Industry leaders are closely monitoring the trial given its implications for future software development and privacy legislation. Many have expressed concern about the ramifications if Storm is successfully prosecuted, fearing that it could open the floodgates for developers to be held liable for misuse of their creations.

Conversely, some skeptics warn that a favorable outcome for Storm could incentivize the development of illicit applications operating under the guise of legitimate privacy needs. Various organizations, including investment firm Paradigm and advocacy groups like Coin Center, have voiced support for Storm by submitting amicus briefs.

Alongside this, as the trial begins, the U.S. government is experiencing a shift in its stance towards cryptocurrencies. Following recent adjustments under President Donald Trump’s administration, regulators are adopting a more lenient approach towards the crypto sector.

Despite speculations that the prosecution might waver following policy changes, preparations for the trial have proceeded unchanged. The trial’s proceedings and potential evidence will unfold over the next month with expectations of significant industry-wide consequences.