Regulation

DOJ demands $4bn from Binance to end criminal case: Bloomberg

DOJ demands $4bn from Binance to end criminal case: Bloomberg

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao could face criminal charges in the US, according to reports. Credit: Lafargue Raphael/ABACA/Shutterstock

  • The US Department of Justice is seeking more than $4 billion from Binance, Bloomberg reported.
  • Its co-founder Changpeng Zhao could face criminal charges in the US, according to reports.

Beleaguered crypto exchange Binance might have to fork over billions to US authorities.

The Department of Justice has been investigating the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume over the past year.

Bloomberg reports that the agency is seeking over $4 billion from Binance. The deal would see the criminal case against the exchange dropped.

Its founder Changpeng Zhao could still face charges in the US, to resolve the investigation into money laundering, wire fraud and sanctions violations, sources close to the matter told Bloomberg.

Binance did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DL News.

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The timing and structure of any deal are still unknown. It could come before the end of November, the report said.

If the exchange is asked to pay over $4 billion, it would be one of the largest fines ever imposed following a cryptocurrency investigation.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more details become available.

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