Internal analytics obtained by CryptoList indicate that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has sent a memo to prosecutors warning of an upcoming change in the format of interaction with the Binance exchange. This concerns the potential phasing out of "voluntary" cooperation mechanisms, which could dramatically slow down investigations in the digital asset space.
According to the document, as of June 8, 2026, Binance will allegedly cease the practice of so-called "courtesy freezes" — the temporary blocking of accounts upon informal requests from law enforcement, without providing a full package of legal documents. Instead, freezing assets or seizing funds will now require going through a multi-step procedure via Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) or official court orders. This means that response times to requests will stretch from hours to weeks and even months, which is critical for preventing the withdrawal of stolen funds.
Binance's reaction was predictably harsh and categorical. A company representative stated that the exchange not only has no plans to reduce cooperation but is also exploring opportunities to expand it. "Any claims to the contrary are false," the press service emphasized, adding that all requests from U.S. investigators will be processed as usual through the official Law Enforcement Request System portal.
Nevertheless, the very emergence of such an internal DOJ directive is highly symptomatic. This comes amid unprecedented pressure on Binance following the record $4.3 billion settlement in 2023. The agreement with U.S. authorities includes enhanced compliance oversight and the presence of an independent monitor. It is clear that Washington fears the exchange might begin to "tighten the screws" in the opposite direction, formalizing processes to such an extent that it paralyzes investigators' operational actions.
CryptoList Analysis: Even if Binance has not changed its policy de facto, the leak itself from the DOJ is a powerful signal to the market. Regulators are demonstrating that the era of informal arrangements with the largest CEXs is coming to an end. In the new paradigm, each request will undergo strict legal scrutiny. For the industry, this means an increase in transaction costs for law enforcement, but simultaneously, a rise in legal certainty for the exchanges themselves. The market expects not just "less cooperation," but a fundamentally new, more bureaucratized model of interaction.