Amanda Tuminelli, the legal chief of the DeFi Education Fund, has condemned the Department of Justice's (DOJ) stance in its case against crypto mixer Tornado Cash and developer Roman Storm, accusing them of displaying a clear "disdain for privacy." Tuminelli highlighted what she described as "egregious statements" and "technical inaccuracies" in the DOJ's opposition to Storm's motion to dismiss conspiracy and money laundering charges.

In a post on X dated April 27, Tuminelli pointed out several instances where she believes the DOJ misrepresented Storm's arguments and demonstrated a lack of understanding of immutable smart contract protocols. She criticized the DOJ for failing to address the arguments presented in the DeFi Education Fund's amicus brief, which supports the dismissal of Storm's charges.

Observers note that the DOJ's expansive interpretation of money transmitting laws could have significant implications for internet freedom. According to the DOJ's argument, the definition of money transmitting does not necessitate control over the funds being transferred and extends to any means of transferring funds on behalf of the public. This broad assertion has raised concerns about potential encroachments on internet freedom, with some suggesting that it could lead to increased KYC requirements for internet service providers.

Financial writer John Paul Koning views the case against Storm as potentially seminal for the crypto industry, particularly concerning the liability of smart contract operators and interfaces. However, crypto-focused lawyer Gabriel Shapiro remains cautiously optimistic, believing that the case will likely hinge on the actions of relayers and the economic interests tied to Tornado Cash's token (TORN).

As Storm's trial approaches in September and co-founder Roman Semenov remains at large, the crypto community awaits further developments in what could become a landmark case for the industry.