Tornado Cash, a decentralized crypto mixer, was created to boost transaction privacy on public blockchains. Launched in 2019 by Roman Storm and Roman Semenov on Ethereum, it allows users to send and receive cryptocurrency anonymously. Unlike centralized mixers, Tornado Cash operates solely onchain through smart contracts, ensuring no central party controls the funds. When users deposit crypto, Tornado Cash generates a cryptographic note for later withdrawal to a different address. Initially supporting Ethereum, it has expanded to other EVM-compatible chains. Despite facing legal issues due to illicit fund laundering, sanctions were lifted in 2025. The saga sparked debates on privacy, regulation, and the future of DeFi. The lifting of sanctions restores access to financial privacy tools, but challenges remain in balancing privacy with regulatory oversight. Tornado Cash's resilience highlights the complexities of regulating decentralized systems while recognizing code as distinct from traditional entities. Read more AI-generated news on: https://app.chaingpt.org/news