Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has agreed to pay $4.3 billion in one of the largest corporate settlements in US history to settle charges of anti-money laundering and US sanctions violations. The settlement, which includes the Justice Department, Treasury Department, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, ends a years-long investigation into the exchange. Under the deal, Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to pay a $50 million fine and step down as CEO. Richard Teng, a former Head of Regional Markets at Binance, has succeeded Zhao as the new CEO.
The settlement has been seen as a positive development for Binance and the cryptocurrency sector as a whole. According to JPMorgan, the prospect of settlement is positive, as it would help to subside uncertainty around Binance and benefit its trading and Smart Chain business. For crypto investors, the settlement eliminates a potential systemic risk emanating from a hypothetical Binance collapse.
Despite the positive outlook, Binance has witnessed outflows worth over $1 billion in the last 24 hours, while some rival exchanges are seeing inflows, according to DefiLlama data. Binance’s native token, BNB, has also fallen nearly 10% in the past 24 hours and is currently trading at around $234.
In an internal memo to staff, Zhao expressed confidence in Binance’s future, stating that the exchange would emerge as a stronger company as it lays the foundation “for the next 50 years.” Teng has assured Binance users that they can remain confident in the financial strength, security, and safety of the company. He also stated that his priorities include making necessary changes to the company’s structure to ensure it remains compliant with regulations.
The settlement is a significant development in the crypto industry, as it sends a message to other exchanges to comply with regulatory requirements and avoid potential legal consequences. The incident highlights the need for greater regulatory oversight in the industry to prevent money laundering and other illegal activities.
Overall, the settlement is a positive development for Binance, as it helps to resolve legal issues and provides a roadmap for future compliance. The new CEO’s focus on regulatory compliance and user confidence is a step in the right direction for the exchange’s long-term success.
