An advertisement for Bitcoin cryptocurrency is displayed on a street in Hong Kong, on Feb. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has filed a civil enforcement action against Changpeng Zhao, CEO of Binance, one of the last remaining major crypto exchanges. The suit charges that the platform
The suit charges that Zhao knowingly violated numerous laws under the Commodity Exchange Act by maintaining an "intentionally opaque common enterprise."
“Today’s enforcement action demonstrates that there is no location, or claimed lack of location, that will prevent the CFTC from protecting American investors," CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam said in a press release. "I have been clear that the CFTC will continue to use all of its authority to find and stop misconduct in the volatile and risky digital asset market."
Samuel Lim, Binance’s former chief compliance officer, is also named in the suit.
“For years, Binance knew they were violating CFTC rules, working actively to both keep the money flowing and avoid compliance," Behnan continued. "This should be a warning to anyone in the digital asset world that the CFTC will not tolerate willful avoidance of U.S. law."
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than just a tournament. With over 6.5 million fans expected to attend, it's become one of the world's largest economic events.
Variety Senior TV Editor Brian Steinberg breaks down media mergers, streaming, cord-cutting, and the biggest trends reshaping the future of television.
As AI demand surges, LT350 is reimagining parking lots as data centers. Founder and CEO Jeff Thramann explains this innovative approach to AI infrastructure.
TIME Editorial Director Lucy Feldman breaks down the 2026 TIME100 Creators list, the evolution of the creator economy, and what's next for digital media.