DOJ invokes Bitcoin Fog ruling in potential blow to Roman Storm acquittal bid

Federal prosecutors cited a recent appeals court ruling involving cryptocurrency mixer Bitcoin Fog as supplemental authority for their opposition to Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm’s acquittal.In a Monday filing, prosecutors cited a Sept. 25 appeals court ruling that affirmed the convictions and sentence of Bitcoin Fog operator Roman Sterlingov. The D.C. Circuit held that venue in Washington, D.C., was proper for all four counts. For the money-laundering counts, it relied on evidence that an undercover agent conducted Bitcoin Fog transactions from his D.C. office. For the unlicensed money-transmission counts, it found sufficient evidence that Bitcoin Fog had served customers in the district.Prosecutors said the Bitcoin Fog ruling “directly supports” their position in Storm’s case, arguing that Tornado Cash activity in Manhattan was sufficient to establish venue in the Southern District of New York for Storm’s money-laundering and unlicensed money-transmission conspiracy charges. They pointed to testimony from Shakeeb Ahmed, who said he used Tornado Cash from his Manhattan apartment.Judge Katherine Polk Failla heard arguments on Storm’s acquittal motion in April 2026 and has not ...