DOJ Reviews Binance Compliance with 2023 Settlement Over Sanctions Violations

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently reviewing whether Binance has complied with the terms of its settlement with American authorities, which was finalized in November 2023. This scrutiny is particularly centered on potential violations of U.S. sanctions against Iran.

The investigation is being led by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the DOJ’s Criminal Division. Prosecutors are examining Binance’s compliance mechanisms, specifically focusing on activities that occurred after the 2023 settlement. Central to this inquiry are transactions involving Hong Kong entities that are alleged to have facilitated payments related to Iranian oil sales.

In September 2026, the DOJ filed a civil forfeiture action seeking $61 million in digital assets linked to these transactions, although Binance was not named as a defendant in this case. The investigation gained renewed attention following reports of transaction flows connected to Iran.

Binance has maintained a zero-tolerance policy toward sanctions violations, asserting its commitment to compliance. The exchange has previously offboarded accounts associated with suspicious activities, with significant removals occurring in August 2025 and January 2026.

The November 2023 settlement was one of the largest penalties in the history of the cryptocurrency sector, with Binance admitting to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. The total penalties exceeded $4.3 billion, which included $2.51 billion in forfeitures and a $1.81 billion fine paid to the DOJ. As part of the settlement, Binance agreed to a three-year monitorship focused on anti-money laundering compliance and exited the U.S. market.

Looking ahead, the outcome of the DOJ's review remains uncertain. Key factors to monitor include whether the review will yield formal findings regarding Binance’s conduct post-settlement, the implications of the $61 million forfeiture case, and the effectiveness of the appointed monitors in overseeing compliance.