A US district judge greenlit the plea deals agreed upon by Binance, former CEO Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao, and the Department of Justice.
Plea Deal Approved
On November 21, 2023, a settlement was reached between Binance, former CEO Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao, and various U.S. regulatory bodies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). This settlement concluded the investigations into Binance's failure to register as a money services business and violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), resulting in a hefty $4.3 billion settlement payment by the company.
Allegations and Settlement
The allegations against Binance were centered on its failure to register as a money services business despite serving U.S. customers. Binance was also obligated to register with FinCEN and implement an anti-money laundering (AML) program to prevent potential money laundering activities on its platform. The settlement marked a significant financial penalty for Binance, highlighting the severity of the regulatory violations.
CZ's Acknowledgment and Plea Agreement
Former CEO CZ acknowledged guilt in breaching the BSA, leading to the dismissal of Justice Department investigations. The latter was looking into Binance's violations of the BSA and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), along with its failure to register as a money transmitter.
Seattle District Court Judge Richard Jones ratified the plea agreement on December 6, 2023, stating,
"The defendant is adjudged guilty of such offense."
The sentencing is scheduled for February 23, 2024, following the court's consideration of the recommendation and the absence of objections.
Court Document Discovery
Court documents revealed that Binance admitted to prioritizing growth and profits over compliance with U.S. laws. Launched in 2017, Binance swiftly became the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally, attracting a substantial user base, particularly from the United States. The admission of regulatory non-compliance emphasizes the challenges faced by platforms seeking rapid expansion in a tightly regulated financial environment.
Leadership Change and Oversight
Currently, on a $175 million release bond, CZ faced restrictions on returning to his residence in the UAE as U.S. prosecutors deemed him a flight risk. With him facing a potential 18-month prison term and having paid $150 million in fines, the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency exchanges is undergoing a notable shift.
In the aftermath of the DOJ settlement, CZ resigned as the CEO of Binance, with Richard Teng assuming the role. The exchange is now subject to heightened oversight by federal authorities, signifying increased scrutiny on cryptocurrency platforms.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
