Coinbase CLO Critiques U.S. Treasury’s Claim on Tornado Cash Court Ruling

Paul Grewal, Coinbase's chief legal officer, criticized the U.S. Treasury's recent filing regarding Tornado Cash after it was removed from the sanctions list. Key points include:

  • The Treasury delisted Tornado Cash and over 100 Ethereum addresses from its Specially Designated Nationals list on March 21.
  • Tornado Cash was previously sanctioned for allegedly laundering $445 million linked to the Lazarus Group.
  • The Treasury argues that this removal makes a final court ruling unnecessary.
  • Grewal contends that the Treasury's claim aims to avoid a ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that could allow re-sanctioning.
  • He cited a legal precedent that requires assurance against the recurrence of previously challenged practices.
  • The Treasury has not assured that Tornado Cash will not be re-listed.