# Binance Sues WSJ, Outlet Reports DOJ is Probing CEX Over Iranian Transactions

*Author: Jack Inabinet*
*Published: Mar 11, 2026*
*Source: https://www.bankless.com/read/news/binance-sues-wsj-outlet-reports-doj-is-probing-cex-over-iranian-transactions*

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According to the *Wall Street Journal*, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened an probe into Binance, responding to recent allegations that Iran used the crypto exchange for the purpose of laundering funds and evading sanctions.

### What's the Scoop?
- **DOJ Investigation: ***WSJ* [reports](https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/justice-department-probes-irans-use-of-binance-to-evade-sanctions-9dc61ce4?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqcf-8-bcLSojDYDH_T74wtfG9WZr-WI3S7706CaITqp7jWs9pjEPyK4CxsadQE%3D&gaa_ts=69b188bc&gaa_sig=d545YBgFZNyJ8Uym2DJbWCFK0ZdqrvB-h6XTq_8b8j5uk6b_vNp13QShgClGwKm2arXuiVGaZURWIXtA-LdyKw%3D%3D) that Binance is the subject of a new DOJ investigation. Last month, the outlet [alleged](https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/binance-iran-sanctions-financing-staff-b1648133?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqd6JOrrgwTI_ZoT2BmyNDXLRMRIEr9SljoI94dfkdBrwjbkhDoBogYH9Y3GsjQ%3D&gaa_ts=69b18f5b&gaa_sig=tJhK8eXiG-DNLRfXtCzX1_8YjdOpqAtNJy6vV1R8iTFV9AkLn4WEBVXKBZ4NShm4skAXkBiwyYFP53hrFYX0Og%3D%3D) that Binance fired compliance employees for flagging $1B of transactions associated with Iran. Now it claims that DOJ officials have contacted people familiar with the transactions to "seek interviews and gather evidence." It is unclear whether the investigation is focusing on Binance itself, or solely the customers on its platform.
- **Counter Suit:** In response to the *WSJ's *initial claims from February, Binance today [filed](https://www.binance.com/en/blog/compliance/4629471661565530384) a lawsuit against the publication, seeking monetary damages and other appropriate relief in response to reporting it labeled 
"false and defamatory." A number of other media outlets have issued similar reports, including [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/technology/binance-employees-iran-firings.html) and [Fortune](https://fortune.com/2026/02/13/binance-investigators-fired-iran-sanctions-potential-violations/).
- **Senate Inquiry:** U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal's (D-CT) opened a Congressional [inquiry](https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-opens-inquiry-after-new-reporting-reveals-binance-allowed-17-billion-in-money-laundering-to-iran-proxies-and-russias-shadow-fleet) into potential money laundering and sanctions behavior. In an open letter [responding](https://www.bankless.com/read/news/binance-rejects-claims-it-ignored-compliance-violations) to the inquiry, Binance claimed entities engaging in alleged illegal activity only had “indirect exposure to wallet addresses with potential ties to Iran," adding that the clients in question were removed after law enforcement inquiries.
- **Previous Settlement**: Binance and former CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao previously [pleaded](https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/binance-and-ceo-plead-guilty-federal-charges-4b-resolution) guilty to unrelated federal money laundering and sanctions evasions charges in November 2023. The defendants paid $4.3B in penalties, CZ went to prison (before being [pardoned](https://www.theblock.co/post/375917/president-trump-pardons-former-binance-ceo-changpeng-zhao) by President Trump), and Binance agreed to remedial compliance monitoring stipulations (which were [withdrawn](https://www.bankless.com/read/binance-nearing-deal-to-end-doj-compliance-monitorship-early-bloomberg) last year). 

> 🚨NEW: Just as the [@WSJ](https://twitter.com/WSJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) reports the DOJ has begun investigating Iran’s use of [@binance](https://twitter.com/binance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) to evade sanctions, Binance has filed a defamation lawsuit against the publication in the Southern District of New York.Binance is seeking damages and legal fees and is demanding a jury… [pic.twitter.com/XxjE8oxH1I](https://t.co/XxjE8oxH1I)— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) [March 11, 2026](https://twitter.com/EleanorTerrett/status/2031704370228736219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
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