Binance Holdings Limited
On 21 November 2023 the US Department of Justice said Binance pleaded guilty to Bank Secrecy Act, unlicensed money transmitting and sanctions violations and would pay US$4,316,126,163S1. Its founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering programme and resignedS1. He was sentenced on 30 April 2024 to four months' imprisonment and received a presidential pardon dated 21 October 2025S2. The SEC dismissed its civil action on 29 May 2025S3. In Nigeria prosecutors dropped money laundering charges against a detained Binance executive in October 2024S5. Tax and money laundering cases against Binance itself were still pending in July 2026, with settlement talks reportedS4S6.
- Also known as
- Binance, Binance.com
- Headquarters
- Cayman Islands
- Records from
- United States, Nigeria
- Current status
- Binance operates a crypto asset exchange. It pleaded guilty in the United States in November 2023 and agreed to a three year monitorS1. The SEC dismissed its civil case with prejudice on 29 May 2025S3. A Nigerian tax case against Binance was adjourned on 9 July 2026 to 24 September 2026 for a report on settlement talksS6.
Scope. This record covers Binance Holdings Limited and its group. It does not cover BAM Trading Services (Binance.US) beyond the SEC case, other exchanges, or other crypto firms charged in Nigeria.
Claims assessed
4 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.- Supported92The US Department of Justice said on 21 November 2023 that Binance pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering, unlicensed money transmitting and sanctions violations and agreed to pay over US$4 billion.Regulator statement, 21 November 20233 records citedMoney laundering
- Supported94Binance's founder Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty in November 2023 and was sentenced to four months in prison, received a US presidential pardon in October 2025.Official report, 21 October 20253 records citedCorporate status
- Outdated89The SEC charged Binance, two Binance.US entities and Binance's founder in June 2023 with violating US securities laws.Regulator statement, 5 June 20233 records citedMarket conduct
- Unresolved58Nigerian authorities charged Binance with tax offences and, with a detained executive, with money laundering in 2024.Press report, 24 October 20244 records citedMoney laundering
Cases and proceedings
- United States v. Binance Holdings Limited and United States v. Changpeng ZhaoUS Department of Justice and US District Court for the Western District of Washington. Criminal. Not published.Stage: Corporate guilty plea with monitor. Founder sentenced and later pardonedS1S2
- Securities and Exchange Commission v. Binance Holdings Limited, et al.US District Court for the District of Columbia. Civil. 1:23-cv-01599.Stage: Dismissed with prejudice
- Joint stipulation to dismiss with prejudiceS3
- Nigerian prosecutors and the Federal Inland Revenue Service v. Binance Holdings LimitedFederal High Court, Abuja. Criminal. Not published.Stage: Tax case and EFCC money laundering case against Binance pending, with settlement talks reported. Charges against the executive withdrawnS5S6
Responses on record
- Binance Holdings Limited, 2 May 2025, on Nigerian authorities charged Binance with tax offences and, with a detained executive, wit...
Binance said it was working with the tax authority to resolve potential historic tax liabilities, as reported by Reuters.S4
Revision history
- Profile and 4 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.
Source records
- S2Tier A Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present)US Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney. Government press release. 21 October 2025 (entry date).Official list recording the founder's pardon, offence, district and sentence. It does not concern the corporate plea.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S1Tier A Binance and CEO Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in $4B ResolutionUS Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. Regulator press release. 21 November 2023.Supports the corporate and founder pleas, the amount and the monitor. It does not cover later events.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S3Tier A Litigation Release No. 26316, Binance Holdings Limited, BAM Trading Services Inc., BAM Management US Holdings Inc., Changpeng ZhaoUS Securities and Exchange Commission. Regulator press release. 29 May 2025.Supports the filing date, case number and dismissal with prejudice. It makes no finding on the allegations.
- S4Tier C Nigerian judge adjourns Binance tax evasion case to May 12Reuters, via TimesLive. Press report. 2 May 2025.Reports the tax claim and adjournment and Binance's stated position. It is not a court record.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S6Tier C Court adjourns tax evasion suit against BinancePremium Times (News Agency of Nigeria report). Press report. 9 July 2026.Agency report on the July 2026 adjournment for settlement talks and the separate EFCC and tax authority cases. No reporter is named. The cases it describes are corroborated by AP and Reuters.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S5Tier C Nigeria releases American crypto executive after dropping money laundering caseAssociated Press, via ABC News (Chinedu Asadu and Eric Tucker). Press report. 24 October 2024.Reports the withdrawal of charges against the executive and the remaining tax case. It is not a court record.