US Treasury Bans Tornado Cash For Supporting North Korea's Nuclear Program

Further restrictions on Tornado Cash were put in place by the US Treasury on November 9, 2022. Allegations that the North Korean government is using it led to this decision. The report stated that that North Korea is employing it specifically to support their WMD Program (Weapons of Mass Destruction). The US government previously prohibited public users from utilizing Tornado Cash as a platform earlier in August 2022. They added that it was being utilized by crooks to launder dirty money.

What transpired to Tornado Cash then? North Korea reportedly used Tornado Cash to launder over $100 million in cryptocurrency, according to a press statement by the US Treasury. The funds are used to support their development of ballistic missiles as part of their WMD program. In a news release, they claimed:

"This action is part of the United States' ongoing efforts to contain the DPRK's ability to advance its unlawful weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile initiatives that threaten peace in the region," the statement reads. "This action follows numerous recent DPRK ballistic missile launches, which are obviously in violation of numerous United Nations (U.N.) Security Council rulings."

The investigation also stated that Tornado Cash facilitates unlawful online activity, ultimately funding North Korea's development of weapons. Additionally, the US Treasury estimates that since 2019, close to $1.5 billion in illicit funds have been laundered. This includes the "Lazarus Group" of hackers sponsored by North Korea. The report claims that in March, Lazarus Group transferred $455 million worth of stolen cryptocurrency. After these things happened, the US Treasury formally sanctioned Tornado Cash.

Lastly, the US Treasury warns international financial institutions to exercise caution. Any institution that willfully facilitates a sizable transaction or offers major financial services to companies that have been sanctioned may experience consequences from the US.