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A United States judge has approved a historic settlement ordering Binance Holdings Ltd (BHL), the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, to pay $4.3 billion for violations of anti-money laundering and sanctions laws. US District Judge Richard Jones in Washington state endorsed the plea agreement between Binance and federal prosecutors, stipulating a $1.8 billion fine and a $2.5 billion forfeiture.
The government emphasized that Binance had profited from the US financial system without adhering to its regulations, enabling criminals to utilize the exchange for the movement of hundreds of millions of dollars in stolen funds and illicit proceeds. The imposed penalty is deemed the largest ever against a money services business, deemed fitting for the severity of Binance’s criminal conduct.
As part of a settlement reached in November, Binance’s chief executive, Changpeng Zhao, pleaded guilty to violating US anti-money laundering laws and agreed to step down from his position. Founded in 2017, Binance rapidly gained dominance in the crypto-trading market, propelling Zhao into billionaire status. However, the exchange has faced challenges, particularly after regulatory scrutiny and the collapse of crypto markets.
Binance, initially established in China, shifted its operations internationally following Beijing’s crackdown on the crypto sector. Despite the industry’s surge in 2021, scandals such as the FTX exchange collapse and criminal charges against executives led to a loss of public confidence, prompting investors to withdraw their funds.
