The U.S. court presiding over the Tornado Cash founder Roman Storm's trial has refused to admit the U.S. Treasury Department's OFAC sanctions against Tornado Cash as direct evidence, according to CoinDesk. Impact on the Trial Judge Katherine Polk Failla emphasized that unless the prosecution presents further compelling evidence directly linking Storm to the charges, references to the OFAC sanctions will be excluded. This decision could significantly impact the prosecution's case, potentially limiting their ability to demonstrate intent or involvement in illicit activities through the cryptocurrency mixer. Background on Tornado Cash Sanctions OFAC added Tornado Cash to its sanctions list in 2022 due to concerns about its use in laundering illicit funds. While these sanctions were partially lifted this past March, the initial designation and its legal implications remain a point of contention. The court's reluctance to automatically accept the sanctions as evidence highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the regulation of decentralized technologies. ```