Allegations of Enabling Terrorist Financing
A group of 306 Americans has filed a lawsuit against Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, accusing the cryptocurrency exchange of enabling terrorist organizations to transfer funds. The plaintiffs, many of whom are relatives of victims affected by Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attack in Israel, claim Binance facilitated financial transactions worth over $1 billion for Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
The lawsuit highlights allegations that Binance allowed the transfer of over $50 million to these groups, even after the attack on October 7, 2023. According to financial times, the exchange’s actions provided the necessary infrastructure for these organizations to carry out their operations. The plaintiffs argue that Binance knew about these illicit activities but chose to allow them to continue.
Zhao’s Legal Troubles and Binance’s Stance
Changpeng Zhao, a central figure in the case, has faced legal challenges in recent years. Zhao previously pleaded guilty to money laundering violations, resulting in a four-month prison sentence. He was later pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump in late 2025. Despite this, the plaintiffs argue that Zhao and Binance failed to make any meaningful changes to prevent illegal activities on their platform, even after the plea deal in the United States.
Binance, however, maintains that it complies fully with internationally recognized sanctions laws. Company representatives have yet to comment publicly on the ongoing lawsuit. They continue to assert that their platform is not a haven for illicit activity, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
Zhao Responds to Biographical Film Rumors Amid Legal Battles
In a separate development, Changpeng Zhao seemed unbothered by the ongoing legal challenges surrounding him. Taking to social media, Zhao addressed rumors suggesting that actor Jackie Chan would portray him in an upcoming Netflix biographical film. Zhao swiftly refuted the claims, dismissing the speculation as baseless and clarifying that the project was far from confirmed.
Despite the serious legal issues Binance is currently facing, Zhao’s focus appeared to remain on more personal matters, underscoring his apparent indifference to the mounting scrutiny.
Binance’s Growing Scrutiny in the Crypto Space
The case against Binance continues to underscore the mounting concerns about the misuse of cryptocurrency platforms by criminal organizations. With the lawsuit gaining traction, it is clear that Binance’s ongoing legal troubles are far from resolved.