A federal court in Alabama has dismissed key parts of a lawsuit accusing Binance, its US affiliate Binance.US, and former CEO Changpeng Zhao of facilitating transfers of cryptocurrency to terrorist groups.
Victims of the October 7 attacks had filed the complaint in February 2024. The plaintiffs alleged that the companies and Zhao enabled payments linked to Hamas through the exchange. They argued that the defendants “violated, and may be continuing to violate, the Anti-Terrorism Act” by allowing funds to move through the platform.
Alabama Court Partially Dismisses Binance Lawsuit
In an order, Chad Bryan granted a motion filed by Zhao to dismiss significant portions of the complaint. However, the judge did not close the case entirely. He ordered the plaintiffs to file a second amended complaint by April 10 or risk “the prospect of a total or partial dismissal.”
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Bryan noted that the claims carried serious implications and required stronger legal arguments to proceed. “The underlying harm here is serious,” he said, adding that the allegations and potential liability were also “serious.” He wrote that the complaint must show a “commensurate level of seriousness before the action will be permitted to proceed.”
Following the decision, Binance said the ruling represented a “full and complete legal victory.”
New York Court Dismisses Claims, Binance Faces Iran Scrutiny
Last week, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed claims against Binance for “lack of personal jurisdiction.” Judge Jeannette Vargas noted, however, that similar allegations had survived dismissal in another case in the district.
Binance general counsel Eleanor Hughes said that “sanctions compliance and terrorism financing are serious matters of law,” and courts had examined the claims twice and found them “without merit.” Judge Vargas added that the case remains active and the court retains authority to ensure parties comply with evidence preservation rules.
Separately, media reports allege Binance processed over $1 billion in transactions linked to Iran, prompting Senate inquiries. Binance denies the claims and has filed a defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal over its reporting on a Justice Department probe.
