Binance is being investigated by U.S. prosecutors over possible violations of sanctions related to Iran, Bloomberg News reports. The inquiry focuses on whether the exchange allowed trading that may have breached U.S. sanctions, according to people familiar with the matter. The reports say investigators are examining whether any such activity occurred with knowledge or intent.
Bloomberg, echoed by multiple outlets, says the probe is led by the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office, with the Justice Department’s criminal division in Washington also involved. Binance has issued a statement saying it has a “zero-tolerance” approach to sanctions violations and that it fully cooperates with law enforcement. The DOJ declined to comment, and the Manhattan office was not immediately available for comment in the reports.
Some context noted across coverage is that Binance has faced U.S. scrutiny before. In 2023, then-CEO Changpeng Zhao stepped down and pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering violations in connection with a $4.3 billion settlement. Separately, the U.S. has recently imposed additional sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies, which outlets describe as part of a broader effort to isolate Iran economically.
