Mixed Verdict Reached After Tense Jury Deliberations

A New York federal jury has delivered a partial verdict in the high-profile case against Roman Storm, co-founder of cryptocurrency mixing service Tornado Cash. The 12-member panel — which included a nonagenarian juror celebrating her birthday during deliberations — convicted Storm on one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business while deadlocking on more serious charges of money laundering and sanctions violations.

Behind the Scenes of Jury Deliberations

Court documents unsealed Thursday revealed the jury's struggle to reach consensus. Judge Katherine Failla released notes showing jurors requested transcripts of witness testimony, clarification about indictment origins, and specific information about North Korean-linked wallets. The panel ultimately declared itself deadlocked Wednesday morning after a week of deliberations, with the foreperson noting some members had "set in stone" positions despite good-faith discussions.

——This case represents a landmark test of cryptocurrency liability—— legal observers noted as the jury wrestled with complex questions about Storm's role in the privacy-focused service prosecutors allege processed over $1 billion in illicit funds.

The Critical Money Laundering Impasse

Jurors received detailed instructions requiring them to find Storm knowingly participated in a money laundering conspiracy beyond reasonable doubt. The challenge lay in proving intent for a service that operated autonomously after creation. 【Court records show】the jury specifically struggled with whether Storm's technical involvement constituted criminal conspiracy, particularly given Tornado Cash's decentralized nature.

What Comes Next for Storm

While sentencing hasn't been scheduled for the single conviction, legal experts speculate the government may pursue retrial on the deadlocked charges. The case has drawn intense scrutiny from both cryptocurrency advocates concerned about developer liability and regulators targeting alleged sanctions evasion tools. As of publication, Storm's defense team hadn't responded to requests for comment about potential appeals.

The trial's outcome — particularly the hung jury on major charges — leaves open fundamental questions about accountability for creators of neutral financial technologies later misused by bad actors. Industry analysts suggest this partial verdict may influence pending cases against other crypto developers while falling short of establishing clear precedent.