Feb 24 • 01:10 UTC 🇬🇧 UK Guardian

Crypto exchange Binance may have funded Iranian entities, reports say

Reports indicate that Binance, a major cryptocurrency exchange, may have facilitated billions in transactions to Iranian entities, leading to internal investigations and alleged disciplinary actions against its employees.

Recent allegations have emerged regarding Binance, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, suggesting it may have funded Iranian entities with significant sums, potentially in violation of international sanctions. Reports indicate that an internal investigation at Binance uncovered over 1,500 accounts accessed from Iran, and that substantial funds, amounting to $1.7 billion, were allegedly funneled to groups linked to Iran, including the Houthi militants in Yemen.

The inquiry reportedly led to tensions within the company, with investigators raising alarm over the transactions to senior executives. However, instead of addressing the findings, senior management allegedly disciplined those responsible for uncovering the information, with multiple employees facing termination or suspension under claims of infringing company protocols regarding client data handling. The culture at Binance, as suggested by these events, raises questions about corporate governance and adherence to legal compliance and ethical standards.

In response to these severe allegations, Binance has maintained that it has not breached any sanctions laws. As the scrutiny of Binance grows, this incident highlights not only the internal struggles within major cryptocurrency platforms but also the broader implications regarding regulatory compliance in the dynamic cryptocurrency market. The outcomes of these reports could have far-reaching consequences for Binance and its operations, as regulatory bodies continue to increase oversight on cryptocurrency exchanges globally.

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