By Key Points
- Roman Storm claims DOJ rejected five out of six expert witnesses
- Trial set for July 14 amid privacy and sanctions controversy
- DOJ argues witnesses lack relevance to the case
- Ethereum Foundation pledges $1.25M for Storm’s legal defense
Roman Storm, founder of the privacy-focused crypto mixer Tornado Cash, has accused the US Department of Justice (DOJ) of deliberately blocking his expert witnesses in an attempt to “crush” his legal defense. Storm’s trial is scheduled to begin on July 14, and tensions are mounting as key aspects of his defense appear to be under threat.
Storm took to social media this week, stating that the DOJ rejected five out of six expert witnesses proposed by his legal team. Only one witness, blockchain expert Matthew Edman, remains allowed to testify, but even his testimony has been severely restricted by the court.
The DOJ’s move comes amid a highly publicized legal battle surrounding Tornado Cash. The platform, launched to enable private crypto transactions, was sanctioned by the US government in 2023 for allegedly facilitating transactions linked to North Korean hackers.
Storm is now facing charges of conspiracy to violate international sanctions, a serious offense carrying the potential for lengthy imprisonment.
This legal clash is unfolding against the backdrop of a volatile crypto market. Recently, Bitcoin dominance jumped 1.4% as market cap shrinks 6% this week, further reflecting the shifting dynamics and growing regulatory pressure across the industry.
😔💔 I’m Roman Storm. I poured my soul into Tornado Cash—software that’s non-custodial, trustless, permissionless, immutable, unstoppable. In 31 days, I face trial. The DOJ wants to bury DeFi, saying I should’ve controlled it, added KYC, never built it. SDNY is trying to crush…
— Roman Storm 🇺🇸 🌪️ (@rstormsf) June 13, 2025
DOJ says expert witnesses lack direct relevance
The DOJ’s official reasoning for rejecting the expert witnesses centers on their alleged lack of relevance to the core issues of the case. Storm’s legal team had planned to present testimony covering digital privacy, blockchain technology, tokenomics, and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance — all topics the prosecution claims are peripheral to the primary charges.
In its filing, the DOJ specifically criticized the testimony of expert witness Matthew Green, a respected figure in the field of cryptography and blockchain privacy:
“None of the above-listed topics are relevant to any fact at issue in this case… The only part of the initial paragraph of Green’s disclosure that might be a fit topic for expert testimony is ‘the Tornado Cash protocol.’
But that description fails to disclose any opinion Green might offer, much less explain the relevance of any such opinion to this case.”
Similarly, the DOJ dismissed other proposed witnesses by questioning their methodology, relevance, and the applicability of their knowledge to the case.
The government also argued that it is not the role of expert witnesses to make legal judgments — such as whether KYC requirements apply to Tornado Cash — which are decisions reserved for the judge and jury.
While the US Treasury recently removed Tornado Cash from its sanctions list, the DOJ has continued its aggressive legal pursuit of Storm. Just last month, the DOJ renewed its efforts to prosecute him, despite ongoing controversy surrounding the nature of the charges.
This reflects a broader trend where regulatory bodies are intensifying their scrutiny. For example, the industry recently saw a significant development with the SEC crypto rules reversal — a move that could influence future enforcement actions.
Crypto community rallies behind Roman Storm
In response to the DOJ’s legal strategy, the crypto community has mobilized in support of Roman Storm. Prominent figures and organizations have publicly voiced their concerns about what they see as a targeted crackdown on privacy technologies.
Significantly, the Ethereum Foundation announced earlier today that it will contribute $500,000 from its organizational fund to Storm’s legal defense. Additionally, community members will donate an additional $750,000, bringing the total to $1.25 million.
The EF is donating $500K to the legal defense of Roman Storm, and we will match up to a further $750K in donations from the community.
Privacy is normal, and writing code is not a crime.
— Ethereum Foundation (@ethereumfndn) June 13, 2025
Storm has actively sought community donations throughout the course of the case, arguing that a well-funded legal defense is critical to protecting the rights of developers who build decentralized privacy tools.
However, the DOJ’s restrictions on expert witnesses may present a major challenge for Storm’s defense strategy. Without expert testimony on topics such as blockchain functionality and digital privacy, the defense could face difficulties in explaining the technical nuances of Tornado Cash to the court.
This trial also comes at a time when the crypto space is buzzing with new narratives. Recently, hourly Bitcoin bets surged as traders speculated on the market’s next move. Meanwhile, Solana’s ecosystem saw renewed optimism, with Solana ETF approval rumors pushing SOL price up 4.5%, highlighting how fast sentiment can shift.
As the trial date approaches, many within the crypto world see the case as a pivotal moment for the future of privacy in blockchain technology. For now, Roman Storm remains determined to fight the charges — but the road ahead is looking increasingly difficult.
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