The US Department of Justice and Binance and its CEO reached a $4 billion settlement on anti-money laundering charges.
United States Department of Justice officials reached a $4 billion settlement with Binance and its CEO, two of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. A number of digital currencies have been impacted by the settlement, which is associated with anti-money laundering accusations.
In his remarks about the Binance settlement, Stuart Alderoty, Chief Legal Officer of Ripple, emphasized the significance of the deal in ensuring that the cryptocurrency sector complies with vital anti-money laundering regulations. The allegations against Binance, as noted up by Alderoty, did not suggest that Binance encouraged securities trading or include breaches of securities laws. He made the observation that many large banks had been through procedures like this.
Given the involvement of the Treasury and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Ripple CLO also noted that the Binance resolution did not include the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to Alderoty, the SEC has become estranged from the rest of the US government and the world at large due to Gary Gensler’s leadership.
Additionally, Alderoty addressed the DoJ’s press conference on Binance and how it coincided with the SEC’s announcement of a lawsuit against Kraken. He said the SEC’s use of the phrase “crypto asset securities,” which the agency has said does not have legal footing, was an example of how the agency’s activities seemed reactive and disorganized.
Kraken, another prominent figure in the cryptocurrency market, is also the target of a lawsuit launched by the SEC. Distinct from instances such as Coinbase, the accusations include running an unlicensed exchange and mixing client cryptocurrency with fiat cash. Concerns about possible sanctions for Kraken, particularly for the mismanagement of client money, may be heightened by this lawsuit after the FTX verdict.
In the SEC’s complaint against Kraken, attorney John E. Deaton extended an invitation to Kraken users to participate as amicus curiae. Deaton has amicus curiae standing in the crypto sector. This development points to a rising tide of support for giving crypto holders a say in regulatory issues with far-reaching consequences for the sector.
Binance and Kraken’s recent legal developments mark a watershed moment in the history of cryptocurrency compliance and regulation. The SEC’s tough attitude against Kraken and Binance’s massive $4 billion settlement point to a regulatory climate where cryptocurrency exchanges are under more scrutiny. In the long run, investor confidence might rise if these steps result in stricter compliance standards across the sector.
Also Read: FTX Token Shows Strong Gains Following Binance CEO’s Resignation
