Ex-Binance CEO CZ Facing New Lawsuit: Details

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the financial industry, I have witnessed the ebb and flow of various market trends, scandals, and regulatory actions. The latest class action lawsuit against Binance and its former CEO Changpeng Zhao is a stark reminder that the crypto world is no exception to these turbulent waters.


In a Seattle federal court, a new class action lawsuit has been filed against Binance, a prominent cryptocurrency company, and its former CEO Changpeng Zhao. The lawsuit claims that the exchange engaged in illegal money laundering activities, leading to consumer harm.

In simpler terms, the class action lawsuit claims that the defendants prioritized financial gains over legal obligations. This is because they supposedly enabled shady individuals to anonymously move large sums of money through cryptocurrency, making it difficult for authorities to trace these funds. Essentially, if they had followed the law, they would have potentially faced scrutiny from regulatory bodies regarding their crypto transactions.

In simpler terms, the accusers claim that Binance has been storing money illegally acquired through means such as cybercrimes like hacks, thefts facilitated by malicious software, and ransomware attacks.

The defendants have been accused of maximizing Binance’s revenue with the help of criminals, thieves, and sanctioned users. The lawsuit describes Binance as the “Crypto-Wash Empire.” 

As per the insights of legal expert Bill Hughes, the ongoing class action lawsuit aims to profitably exploit government prosecutions and regulatory actions in a predictable manner. Moreover, he mentioned that the plaintiffs have substantial resources at their disposal because their legal representatives possess impressive credentials.

The plaintiffs argue that they were harmed because Binance played a crucial role in money laundering, which is considered unlawful racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as stated by him.

Last November, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), previously the CEO of Binance, admitted guilt for money laundering violations and resigned from his position. According to U.Today reports, CZ was sentenced to four months in prison at the end of April. He began serving this sentence in early June.

Read More

2024-08-20 21:57