Changpeng Zhao has dismissed accusations that Binance facilitated Iran-linked or terrorism-related transactions, arguing the claims lack logic and offer no business incentive for the exchange.
The former Binance chief said he has “zero interest” in involvement with Iran, distancing himself from reports alleging the platform enabled illicit financial flows tied to the country.
The comments follow renewed scrutiny of Binance after reports suggested over $1 billion in crypto transfers from Chinese clients were linked to Iranian financing networks.
“I have zero interest in doing that,”
Said Zhao during a remote appearance at the Digital Chamber’s DC Blockchain Summit.
Zhao added that such transactions would not generate meaningful fees for Binance, undermining any claim that the exchange had a financial motive to facilitate them.
Binance has denied the allegations and said it found no evidence that accounts on its platform directly transacted with Iranian entities, while also suing The Wall Street Journal over its reporting.
The exchange previously settled US anti-money-laundering and sanctions violations in 2023, adding to ongoing regulatory scrutiny of its compliance practices.
Zhao, who stepped down as CEO under that settlement and later served a prison sentence before receiving a presidential pardon, said recent accusations against him and Binance are “completely using false, baseless information.”