Binance’s Former CEO, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), is
embroiled in a contentious debate with the US Department of Justice (DOJ)
following his guilty plea for breaking anti-money laundering laws in the US.
Although the DOJ is not advocating immediate
incarceration, it has opposed CZ’s departure from the United States, Coindesk
reported. The Justice Department has cited him as a “flight risk that could be
managed.” This stance arises despite CZ’s voluntary appearance in court, where he argued that his presence is proof of non-flight tendencies.
CZ’s counsel has highlighted his voluntary
self-surrender, intent to resolve the case, and a proposal for a significant bail package. However, US Attorneys contend that the severity of potential
sentencing could force him to flee back to the UAE, his primary
citizenship, which lacks an extradition treaty with the US.
The looming prison sentence is potentially between 18
months to a statutory maximum of 10 years. Following his guilty plea for money
laundering violations, CZ stepped down as Binance’s CEO.
Simultaneously, Binance pleaded guilty to multiple
criminal and civil charges, agreeing to pay a substantial $4.3 billion in
penalties. Besides that, CZ signed a hefty bond agreement worth $175 million
after pleading guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, Reuters reported. The
US prosecutors argue that he might opt to stay in the UAE with his family
instead of facing prison time in the US.
Following Zhao’s guilty plea, Binance struck a deal
with the DOJ to exit the US market and to appoint a new CEO. In the
midst of this legal turmoil, Binance witnessed a substantial outflow of its Bitcoin reserves.
Impact of Legal Challenges on Binance
Recent data from CryptoQuant unveiled that the crypto
exchange
