Thomas Daniels
U.S. prosecutors have agreed to postpone procedural deadlines in the high-profile case against Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, potentially delaying any retrial until the end of 2025. The decision comes after a New York jury in August found Storm guilty of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, but failed to reach a verdict on two additional felony charges.
In a Monday filing with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Judge Katherine Failla approved an extension jointly requested by Storm’s legal team and federal prosecutors. The order suspends the 70-day retrial clock following the initial trial, granting the defense more time to prepare post-trial motions.
“The Court finds that the ends of justice would be served by excluding time from now until December 18, 2025,” Judge Failla wrote, adding that the delay outweighs the public’s interest in a speedy retrial.
Charges and Trial Outcome
Storm, indicted in August 2023, faced charges of money laundering conspiracy, operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, and conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions. The August 6 verdict found him guilty only on the unlicensed money transmitting count. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.
Prosecutors have not confirmed whether they will pursue a retrial on the remaining two charges, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate sanctions.
Wider Tornado Cash Legal Fallout
Storm’s co-founders are also facing legal challenges. Roman Semenov, indicted alongside Storm in the U.S., remains at large. Alexey Pertsev was convicted of money laundering in the Netherlands in 2024 and sentenced to more than five years in prison, a ruling he is appealing.
The Tornado Cash case has become a legal flashpoint for debates on crypto privacy tools, decentralized finance regulation, and U.S. sanctions enforcement.
