A U.S. federal court has set a date for a new trial in the case of Tornado Cash crypto mixer co-founder Roman Storm. The hearings are scheduled for April 26, 2027 — this decision was made by Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who rejected an earlier position by the prosecution, which had insisted on holding the trial as early as October of this year.
The retrial will become a key stage in the prolonged legal confrontation surrounding Tornado Cash. As a reminder, in 2025, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on charges of money laundering and violations of the sanctions regime. This created a precedent-setting uncertainty that now requires a full new review.
Of particular note is the fact that the defense's motion for a full acquittal of Storm on these counts has not yet been granted and remains under judicial consideration. This indicates that the prosecution still has serious procedural arguments, but the defense also continues to insist that there is no corpus delicti in the developer's actions.
From an industry perspective, this case extends far beyond the personal responsibility of one individual. It is shaping legal guidelines for all developers of decentralized protocols, especially those who create privacy tools. The postponement until 2027 gives the industry a temporary reprieve, but at the same time prolongs uncertainty — investors and project teams remain in limbo regarding legal risks.
My professional assessment: the rescheduling is not merely a bureaucratic formality. The judge is effectively giving the parties time for additional preparation and possible pre-trial agreements. However, for the crypto community, this is a signal that the legal battle around Tornado Cash will have long-term consequences, and the industry must prepare for new regulatory challenges rather than count on a quick resolution of the conflict.