The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an internal memo to prosecutors, warning of a potential reduction in cooperation from Binance in investigations related to cryptocurrency crimes. According to the document, starting June 8, the exchange intends to cease the practice of so-called "voluntary freezes" of accounts at the request of law enforcement agencies.
This change, if it takes effect, could dramatically slow the pace of investigations across jurisdictions. Instead of the prompt blocking of assets, investigators will now have to rely exclusively on official procedures, including requests under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs). As market participants are well aware, coordinating such requests between different countries can take weeks or even months—critical time during which stolen cryptocurrency can be "laundered" through dozens of blockchains and mixers.
The DOJ's internal directive emphasizes that a stricter legal foundation will now be required to freeze accounts and seize assets. This means Binance will only respond to requests submitted through MLATs or other official interstate channels.
Binance denies: policy remains unchanged
Representatives from Binance have categorically denied any changes in the policy of interaction with U.S. authorities. In an official statement, the company stressed that it continues to process confirmed requests through its own Law Enforcement Request System (LERS) portal as usual. "Any claims that we have already reduced or plan to reduce cooperation with law enforcement agencies are incorrect," the company stated.
It is worth recalling that Binance remains under close regulatory scrutiny following a record $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities in 2023. The terms of the deal included enhanced internal controls, independent monitoring, and commitments to comply with strict compliance standards.
Analytical commentary
Even if Binance does not change its approach in practice, the leak from the Department of Justice itself is a powerful signal to the market. It illustrates the growing tension between global crypto exchanges and law enforcement agencies, which are increasingly demanding the formalization and standardization of procedures. In my professional opinion, if such changes do occur, it would set a precedent capable of reshaping the entire ecosystem of exchange interaction with authorities—from investigation timelines to KYC/AML standards. The market should prepare for a stricter and more bureaucratic operating regime.