Founders of Tornado Cash Officially Accused by US Government
The founders of Tornado Cash, Roman Storm and Roman Semenox, have been charged by the US government for crimes including laundering over $1 billion and breaking sanctions. The charges were revealed by the US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York, with Roman Storm being arrested today. The indictment alleges that the defendants created and operated Tornado Cash, a crypto mixer that facilitated the illegal movement of funds. They also assisted the Lazarus Group, a North Korean hacking group, in laundering hundreds of millions of dollars.
Key Points:
- Roman Storm and Roman Semenox have been officially charged with laundering over $1 billion and breaking sanctions.
- Tornado Cash, a crypto mixer, was created and operated by the defendants as a means to move funds illegally.
- The founders of Tornado Cash also helped the Lazarus Group launder hundreds of millions of dollars obtained through hacking.
- US Attorney Damian Williams stated that the defendants knowingly facilitated money laundering and violated US sanctions.
- Tornado Cash was a service that allowed users to move cryptocurrency without being traced.
Hot Take: The accusations against the founders of Tornado Cash highlight the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to crack down on illicit activities in the crypto space. The case serves as a reminder that money laundering through cryptocurrency transactions is illegal and will be met with prosecution. It also underscores the importance of regulatory measures to ensure the integrity of the crypto industry.