Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has been released from custody on a $175 million personal recognizance bond. Source
Tag: Binance
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao steps down with response to the SEC following guilty plea
Binance faces a pivotal change as CEO Changpeng Zhao agrees to step down and the company prepares to pay $4.3 billion in fines, following a settlement with the SEC over anti-money laundering violations. Changpeng Zhao’s decision to step down as CEO of Binance and plead guilty to violating U.S. anti-money-laundering requirements has sparked a complex interaction with U.S. regulatory bodies, particularly in the context of a substantial settlement agreement. The unfolding situation involves intricate negotiations and exchanges between Zhao, Binance and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), according to…
Crypto markets mixed as traders digest DOJ action against Binance, CZ
Crypto markets were subjected to a heavy dose of volatility on Nov. 21 as the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and U.S. Treasury announced a $4.3-billion settlement with Binance and that former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao will plead guilty to one felony charge as part of a settlement over criminal and civil cases with the cryptocurrency exchange. United States Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the DOJ reached a $4.3 billion resolution with Binance and CZ. The agreement required CZ to plead guilty to…
Binance charges prove ‘following the rules’ was the right decision: Coinbase CEO
Brian Armstrong, CEO of crypto exchange Coinbase, thinks that his company made the right decision to comply with U.S. money transmitter licensing laws. In a Nov. 21 social media post, Armstrong weighed in on the news that rival exchange Binance is pleading guilty to criminal charges, stating that he is glad his own exchange decided to obtain money transmitter licenses, even though it put the company at a competitive disadvantage. Since the founding of Coinbase back in 2012 we have taken a long-term view. I knew we needed to embrace…
Binance, Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao to Pay $2.85B Fine in CFTC Settlement
Crypto exchange Binance and its founder, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao will pay nearly $3 billion in fines to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to settling the regulator’s lawsuit against it. The company is also settling with the U.S. Department of Justice and Treasury Department in parallel actions on Tuesday. Source
US officials announce $4.3B settlement with Binance, plea deal with CZ
Officials with the United States Department of Justice announced that Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao will plead guilty to one felony charge as part of a settlement over criminal and civil cases with the exchange. “In a Nov. 21 press conference, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that CZ entered his plea in person in U.S. federal court despite residing outside the country. He added that a $4.3-billion settlement with Binance and CZ would cover “civil regulatory enforcement actions” by government departments including the U.S. Treasury and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). According to…
Binance names Richard Teng CEO amid Changpeng Zhao’s forced departure
Binance has named its head of regional markets outside of the United States, Richard Teng, as its new CEO. The change comes as founder and former CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has resigned and pleaded guilty to charges levied against him by the U.S. Department of Justice. Today, I stepped down as CEO of Binance. Admittedly, it was not easy to let go emotionally. But I know it is the right thing to do. I made mistakes, and I must take responsibility. This is best for our community, for Binance, and…
Binance to Make ‘Complete Exit’ From U.S., Pay Billions to FinCEN, OFAC on Top of DOJ Settlement
Crypto exchange Binance will leave the U.S., pay billions in fines and appoint a monitor for five years to settle charges with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), the U.S. Treasury Department’s money laundering and sanctions watchdogs, according to press releases shared Tuesday. Source
Binance Got Huge Due to U.S. Customers. That Was Illegal, U.S. Says
Binance targeted growth in the U.S. market, especially among “VIP” users who drove the exchange’s trading volume and thus its revenue. These power users and their liquidity helped make Binance a juggernaut in crypto trading. According to the government, Binance’s executives “tracked and monitored” the exchange’s performance in the U.S. market and even touted their success. Source
After ‘CZ’ Changpeng Zhao Quits as Binance CEO, Richard Teng Looks Like the Heir Apparent
Teng’s strength is regulation and compliance, an area that has been a primary focus for Binance for the last couple of years. Before heading up the Financial Services Regulatory Authority at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), he was chief regulatory officer of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) and spent 13 years with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Source