Binance is facing increasing legal scrutiny worldwide, with France launching a fresh investigation into the exchange over alleged money laundering and tax fraud. The cryptocurrency giant denies the claims, calling them a continuation of an ongoing legal probe.
France’s Investigation into Binance
On January 28, French authorities reportedly opened an investigation into Binance, alleging that the exchange facilitated money laundering linked to drug trafficking. The probe covers activities from 2019 to 2024 and extends beyond France to include all European Union nations.
This is not Binance’s first legal hurdle in France. Since 2022, regulators have examined the company’s compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, citing concerns over inadequate checks to prevent illicit financial activities.
A Binance spokesperson responded to the latest accusations, stating that the case has been under review for years. The exchange expressed disappointment over the referral of the matter to the judiciary and vowed to fight any charges.
Binance’s Ongoing Legal Struggles Across Countries
Binance has faced regulatory challenges in at least 10 countries between 2021 and 2025. Allegations include violations of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws and operating without proper registration.
Between 2023 and 2024, the exchange encountered legal action from six nations:
- United States: Binance agreed to a $4.3 billion settlement for AML violations.
- Australia, Belgium, Canada, India, Nigeria: Various compliance issues led to restrictions or legal proceedings.
Richard Teng, Binance’s CEO, acknowledged past compliance gaps, attributing them to the company’s rapid expansion. He emphasized that user funds and security remain the firm’s top priorities.
Binance’s Compliance Efforts
Binance remains the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, processing over $21 billion in digital asset trades on January 27 alone, according to CoinGecko.
Since settling with US regulators in 2023, Binance has strengthened its compliance framework, increasing its dedicated compliance team by 34% to 645 full-time employees as of November 2024. The company claims that authorities, including the US Department of Justice, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), have recognized its improvements in regulatory adherence.
