Manhattan US Attorney leading probe into Binance’s Iran compliance: Bloomberg
The Manhattan US Attorney’s Office is leading an inquiry into whether cryptocurrency exchange Binance knowingly permitted trading that violated U.S. sanctions on Iran, Bloomberg reported. The Department of Justice’s Criminal Division in Washington is also participating in the probe, according to people familiar with the matter.
Why It Matters
The inquiry adds specificity to a Justice Department examination first reported in March and could have regulatory and legal implications for one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. Sanctions compliance is a central concern for U.S. enforcement agencies in crypto markets.
Key Facts
- Lead investigator: Manhattan US Attorney’s Office
- Additional involvement: DOJ Criminal Division in Washington
- Allegation under review: Whether Binance knowingly allowed trading that violated US sanctions on Iran
- Earlier reporting: Wall Street Journal reported in March the DOJ was examining whether Iran used Binance to evade sanctions
- Binance response: Told Cointelegraph it maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sanctions violations and cooperates with law enforcement
Bloomberg reported that the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office is spearheading an investigation into whether Binance knowingly enabled transactions that breached U.S. sanctions on Iran. Sources told Bloomberg that the Justice Department’s Criminal Division in Washington is also taking part in the probe.
The report provides further detail on a Justice Department inquiry first disclosed in March by the Wall Street Journal, which said investigators were looking into whether Iran used Binance to evade U.S. sanctions. At that time the Journal noted it was unclear if investigators were focused on Binance as a company, its users, or both.
When asked for comment, a Binance spokesperson told Cointelegraph the company enforces a zero-tolerance policy on sanctions violations, fully cooperates with law enforcement, and is committed to shutting down bad actors. That statement did not directly confirm awareness of the Bloomberg-reported investigation.
Bloomberg’s account underscores that an active investigation does not imply guilt; probes can conclude without charges. The story follows prior media coverage and ongoing regulatory scrutiny of Binance’s compliance practices related to sanctions enforcement.
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