The US Department of Justice is investigating whether Binance has complied with the terms of its November 2023 settlement. Prosecutors are specifically examining potential violations of US sanctions against Iran, focusing on transactions that occurred after the agreement was signed.
The investigation centers on payments linked to Iranian oil sales, allegedly facilitated by Hong Kong entities. On September 15, 2026, the DOJ initiated a civil forfeiture action to recover $61 million in digital assets related to these transactions. Binance is not a defendant in this specific case.
Binance maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding sanctions and states it remains committed to compliance. The exchange noted that it removed accounts linked to suspicious activity in August 2025 and January 2026. Binance is currently subject to a three-year DOJ monitorship.
In 2024, the exchange appointed two independent monitors: Forensic Risk Alliance for a three-year term and Sullivan and Cromwell for a five-year term. These monitors oversee the company's anti-money laundering compliance efforts following the 2023 settlement, which included total penalties exceeding $4.3 billion.
