TORN, the native token of privateness protocol Twister Money, has rallied over 70% following its removing from the US sanctions listing.
The Workplace of International Belongings Management (OFAC) confirmed on March 21 that it had delisted a number of Ethereum pockets addresses tied to the protocol. This marked a big milestone for the embattled decentralized platform, which has confronted intense scrutiny since its sanctioning in 2022.
Following the announcement, TORN’s value surged to $12.9, representing a 71% enhance inside 24 hours. The crypto group additionally welcomed the information, viewing it as a win for privacy-focused applied sciences and DeFi.
Authorized readability for Twister Money
Twister Money operates as a decentralized protocol designed to enhance privateness for Ethereum customers. It permits customers to combine their belongings with others in a shared pool earlier than withdrawal, making monitoring transactions tougher.
The protocol got here below hearth in 2022 when OFAC sanctioned it, citing its alleged use by unhealthy actors, together with North Korea’s Lazarus Group.
Nevertheless, in January 2025, a federal courtroom in Texas dominated that Twister Money’s good contracts couldn’t be topic to sanctions. The decide famous that the software program was autonomous, couldn’t be owned, and functioned independently of any central authority.
This immutability means it can’t be shut down or selectively restricted — a key level that weakened OFAC’s case. The ruling underlined that whereas privateness protocols might be misused, the code doesn’t fall below conventional regulatory management.
OFAC acknowledged this in its assertion, noting that its transfer displays a broader evaluate of how monetary sanctions apply in an area the place management is distributed and code is immutable.
Focus stays on North Korea
Regardless of Twister Money’s removing from the sanctions listing, the US Treasury stays vigilant about cash laundering, notably by North Korean cybercriminals just like the Lazarus Group.
The Lazarus Group, a state-sponsored hacking unit, has stolen billions from crypto platforms and allegedly used these funds to assist the Asian nation’s nuclear and ballistic missile packages.
The Treasury reiterated its dedication to disrupting these malicious cyber actions and imposing sanctions in opposition to North Korea. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated:
“Securing the digital asset business from abuse by North Korea and different illicit actors is crucial to establishing U.S. management and guaranteeing that the American individuals can profit from monetary innovation and inclusion.”
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