US DOJ split postpones conclusion of Binance criminal investigation

According to reports, US Department of Justice prosecutors are divided over whether the evidence acquired in connection with a criminal investigation into cryptocurrency exchange Binance is adequate to bring the criminal investigation to a close.

According to Reuters, a number of US DOJ prosecutors engaged in the inquiry feel that the evidence already acquired justifies taking further action against the exchange.

The media outlet has been informed by a number of sources that the lengthy criminal investigation is being postponed due to disagreements between the prosecutors.

The inquiry, which was started in 2018, is said to be concentrated on how well the cryptocurrency exchanges adhere to US AML and sanctions laws.

While some of the prosecutors are reportedly appealing for more time to evaluate additional evidence, others are said to be opposed to moving the probe forward and filing criminal charges.

Reports state that Binance's defense lawyers have met with Justice Department representatives multiple times in recent months.

According to Reuters, Binance is reportedly saying that a criminal investigation may "wreak havoc" on the already volatile cryptocurrency market.

A representative for the exchange, however, informed the media outlet that "We don’t have any insight into the inner workings of the US Justice Department, nor would it be appropriate for us to comment if we did."

Unlicensed money transmission, money laundering conspiracies, and criminal sanctions violations are among the developments that, according to sources, are currently being looked into.

It was revealed earlier this year that US prosecutors had asked the company for a large amount of internal information pertaining to its AML framework as well as discussions between its CEO Changpeng Zhao and other officials.

By fLEXI tEAM