The U.S. Treasury Department has removed sanctions from Tornado Cash, a cryptocurrency mixer that was previously linked to the laundering of $7 billion in stolen crypto by North Korean hackers.

According to an official statement, the Treasury Department exercised its discretion to delist Tornado Cash after a court ruling in a legal battle. The sanctions had made it illegal for U.S. citizens and businesses to engage in transactions with the entity.

The purpose of crypto mixers like Tornado Cash is to enable users to conceal the origin of their cryptocurrency, including funds that may be tainted or illicit, by blending them with other crypto.

In 2022, the Treasury Department alleged that Tornado Cash was engaging in the laundering of stolen cryptocurrency from hacks orchestrated by North Korea, with the ultimate goal of funding the country’s nuclear weapons program. The two founders of Tornado Cash were charged with crimes in a New York federal court in August 2023, including conspiracy to launder money and violating sanctions.

Despite delisting Tornado Cash, the Treasury Department expressed its ongoing concern about the threat posed by crypto hacks from the North Korean regime, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance.