US Lawmakers Call for Deep Dive into Binance’s Operations and Political Ties

A coalition of 11 Democratic senators from the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs has urged the Department of Justice and the Treasury Department to thoroughly investigate Binance. The call to action focuses on scrutinizing the cryptocurrency firm’s adherence to US sanctions, particularly its activities in Iran and compliance with a 2023 federal settlement agreement.

What Are the Allegations Against Binance?

The senators’ letter outlines media accusations that Binance channeled extensive crypto transfers to Iran and entities tied to terrorism. Their findings suggest that Binance’s compliance teams identified transfers exceeding $1.7 billion in crypto assets to Iran-backed groups such as the Houthi movement and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Furthermore, they highlighted that over $1.2 billion flowed through a Binance supplier to Iranian-associated persons and that upwards of 1,500 Iranian accounts accessed Binance, defying US sanctions.

What Is the Nature of Binance’s Connection with the Trump Family?

The senators also shed light on Binance’s growing affiliations with the Trump family, focusing on cryptocurrency endeavors. They emphasized Binance’s collaboration with World Liberty Financial, a firm supporting a Trump-backed stablecoin project named USD1. The letter pointed to Binance offering incentives for USD1, technical partnerships, and a $2 billion investment boost, all under the shadow of a presidential pardon after Binance’s former CEO’s sentencing.

Internationally, the senators voiced concerns about Binance’s moves in the former Soviet states, warning that its crypto-backed cards could help Russian entities bypass Western sanctions. The letter also mentioned Binance’s dealings in Kyrgyzstan as potential sanction risks.

“Binance’s apparent failures in tackling financial crime present a national security risk, possibly facilitating sanctioned entities and terrorist groups in accessing international financial networks,” the senators argued.

Concerns were also raised about Binance allegedly firing employees who flagged dubious transactions and the company’s claimed loss of transparency with law enforcement. These developments, the senators warned, may jeopardize the resolutions of Binance’s 2023 settlement with the US.

Following the 2023 accord with the US Department of Justice, Binance admitted to breaching American sanction laws and agreed to substantial penalties exceeding $4 billion, pledging comprehensive compliance reforms.

* Notable claims:
– Over $1.7 billion in cryptocurrency moved to entities in Iran, including militant groups.
– Trump family-linked venture receives $2 billion through Binance channels.
– Potential aiding of Russian sanctions evasion via crypto-backed cards in former Soviet Union.

A Binance representative repudiated the allegations, affirming the company’s quick reporting of suspicious activities to authorities and dismissing accusations about dismissing whistleblowers as baseless. They emphasized Binance’s continued adherence to commitments made in 2023 with US regulators.