Cryptocurrency giant Binance is embroiled in controversy after investigative teams within the company reportedly uncovered $1.7 billion in suspicious transactions linked to Iran. Allegations made by the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal have reignited accusations that the exchange may have overlooked violations of international sanctions. Under the leadership of CEO Richard Teng and founder Changpeng Zhao, the company has categorically denied the claims, emphasizing the strength of its compliance program.
Uncovering the Billion-Dollar Transfers
According to documents circulating in journalistic circles, Binance’s internal auditors last year identified more than 1,500 accounts accessed from Iran. These activities, reportedly conducted via intermediaries such as the Hong Kong-based Blessed Trust and Hexa Whale Trading, amounted to a staggering $1.7 billion in transactional volume. Investigation files suggest that much of these funds ultimately ended up in wallets connected to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and groups like the Houthis in Yemen.
Representatives from Blessed Trust have dismissed the allegations, stating that the transactions in question were limited to routine operations such as invoice payments and salaries. However, concerns intensified when, after audit reports reached top management, four investigators responsible for revealing these sensitive findings were disciplined or dismissed for allegedly misusing customer data. These dismissals, said to have occurred at the start of 2025, now cast a shadow over the exchange’s pledges of transparency.
The timing has also raised eyebrows—one particularly notable detail concerns the dismantling of the investigation unit just weeks after former CEO Changpeng Zhao reportedly received a presidential pardon in the United States. Industry observers interpret a series of high-profile compliance officer resignations at Binance as further signs of internal tensions. The company, for its part, maintains that these departures are part of a routine reorganization process as it enters a new phase of restructuring.
Binance Counters Allegations with Data and Strong Denials
In the face of mounting media attention, Binance issued an official statement insisting that no employee had ever been dismissed for reporting sanctions violations. A spokesperson emphasized that the company’s auditing mechanisms work flawlessly and that Binance itself identified and reported the suspicious activities to authorities. The platform also maintained that the figures being circulated do not reflect reality and that there is no concrete evidence the company has breached sanctions laws.
As proof of transparency, Binance shared data on X, asserting that it reduced its direct exposure to Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges by 97.3% in two years. The company claimed the volume traced to these sources dropped from $4.19 million in January 2024 to just $110,000 by January 2026. Company founder Changpeng Zhao weighed in as well, characterizing the negative coverage as stemming from ex-employees’ personal stories and reiterating confidence in Binance’s industry-leading compliance program.
Management further noted that, due to the inherent nature of blockchain technology, it is impossible to completely prevent the influx of outside assets. Following its historic $4.3 billion settlement with authorities in 2023, Binance has operated under strict scrutiny and views the current allegations as attempts to undermine its credibility. Under Richard Teng’s stewardship, the company says it remains committed to working alongside regulators and further integrating into global financial infrastructure.
