Binance Sues Wall Street Journal Amid Report of DOJ Iran Probe

Replace, March 11, 1:00 pm UTC: This text has been up to date so as to add an announcement by Binance that the alternate filed a defamation lawsuit towards the Wall Street Journal.

Binance stated Wednesday it’s suing the Wall Street Journal after the newspaper reported that the US Justice Division was investigating whether or not Iran used the crypto alternate to evade US sanctions.

Binance filed a defamation lawsuit towards the Journal within the Southern District of New York, in search of damages and authorized charges, and demanding a jury trial.

Binance instructed Cointelegraph it was not conscious of any Justice Division investigation and stated it continued to cooperate with regulators and regulation enforcement. “As at all times, we’re collaborating with regulators and regulation enforcement to analyze the details,” the spokesperson stated.

The go well with got here shortly after the Journal reported Wednesday that the DOJ was investigating whether or not Iran used Binance to evade US sanctions and whether or not transactions on the alternate helped route funds to networks linked to Iran-backed teams, together with Yemen’s Houthi militants. The report cited firm paperwork and other people aware of the matter.

The DOJ had not confirmed an investigation into Iran’s alleged use of Binance to keep away from US sanctions on the time of publication.

Binance challenges WSJ reporting

The Journal stated it stays unclear whether or not the DOJ is investigating Binance itself, its customers, or each. Officers have additionally reportedly contacted individuals with data of the transactions to hunt interviews and collect proof.

The probe follows the Journal’s earlier report on Feb. 23, claiming Binance dismantled an inner investigation into roughly $1 billion that flowed by way of the platform to a community tied to Iranian proxy teams. Binance categorically denied claims that it dismantled any compliance investigation in an announcement to Cointelegraph.

Binance stated its inner investigation continued and uncovered a classy, multi-jurisdictional sample of monetary exercise spanning Asia, the Center East and different areas.

The alternate additionally published a weblog put up on Tuesday, following up on its Feb. 23 statement, which particulars the fund flows and addresses what Binance describes as false claims made towards it.

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On March 6, the alternate responded to a February inquiry launched by a gaggle of 11 US senators, denying facilitating transactions to Iranian entities and the narrative round staff’ terminations.

Binance pleaded responsible in 2023 to violating US anti-money-laundering and sanctions legal guidelines, paying a $4.3 billion positive and agreeing to function underneath US oversight.

Former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao pleaded guilty to related charges and spent 4 months in jail in 2024. In October 2025, CZ received a pardon from US President Donald Trump.

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