Ex-SEC Official Reacts To DOJ Seeking 3-Year Prison Term For Binance Founder CZ

John Reed Stark, a former official at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), called out the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) request for a 36-month prison sentence for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ). The DOJ filed this petition with the U.S. Federal Court in Seattle on allegations of breaking anti-money laundering (AML) laws within American jurisdiction. Reed emphasized that CZ’s sentencing is scheduled for April 30, and criticized Zhao’s involvement in Binance facilitating illegal activities.

According to reports, Binance is accused of providing services for illegal and unlicensed money transfers, as well as aiding sanctions violations for terrorist organizations such as Hamas, al Qaeda, ISIS while operating within the United States. These allegations have caused a stir in the cryptocurrency world, leading to questions about why U.S. prosecutors chose to sentence Binance founder CZ to 36 months in prison.

Reed Highlights CZ’s Crimes

John Reed Stark, a former SEC official, called out Binance and its founder Zhao in a post, accusing them of breaking the law and committing crimes during Zhao’s time as CEO of the world’s biggest crypto exchange. Binance, which handled trillions of dollars in yearly cryptocurrency transactions, made significant profits while ignoring U.S. regulations.

The disregard for legal obligations and refusal to adhere to U.S. financial regulations regarding Binance’s operations has raised serious questions about its trustworthiness. As an experienced SEC official put it, “The severity of Zhao’s actions calls for a significant penalty. Financial institutions serve as the bulwark of the American financial system.”

Reed’s comment quickly attracted significant notice as anticipation grew with the approaching hearing date for CZ on April 30. Simultaneously, according to American prosecutors, Zhao’s intentional violation of U.S. laws was no accident or oversight but a calculated move aimed at boosting his company’s profits.

Binance Founder To Face Prison?

More recent news highlights U.S. prosecutors’ determination to seek a 36-year prison term for Zhao. This firm stance has sparked criticism from the international crypto community, leading to increased scrutiny of Zhao’s case. CZ, as he is known, now faces the possibility of being sentenced to imprisonment on April 30.

At present, the founder of Binance, Zhao, is free on a bond worth $175 million. However, during a recent court hearing, the U.S. prosecutors recommended a sentence of 36 months, stating that “the severity of Zhao’s intentional breach of U.S. law and its resulting repercussions merit this length of imprisonment.”

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2024-04-24 17:47