Binance ordered to pay $2.25 million fine by India’s financial watchdog

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  • Binance has been ordered to pay a fine of $2.25 million by India’s Financial Intelligence Unit.

Binance has been ordered to pay 188.2 million Indian Rupees ($2.25 million) in penalties by India’s financial watchdog.

The Financial Intelligence Unit imposed the fine on Binance in an order dated Wednesday for violating the rules under the country’s Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The regulator said that it issued a notice in December 2023, “compelling Binance to demonstrate why appropriate action should not be undertaken against it” — seemingly for the exchange’s prior services to local clients and operations within India without registering under the country’s anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

The FIU added that it has sent specific directions to Binance to ensure diligent compliance with the country’s AML laws.

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Binance is reportedly looking to re-enter the Indian market after being banned by Indian regulators in January.

Binance did not immediately respond to The Block’s request for comment.


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About Author

Timmy Shen is an Asia editor for The Block. Previously, he wrote about crypto and Web3 for Forkast.News from Taiwan after spending more than three years in Beijing covering finance, entertainment business and current affairs at Caixin Global and Chinese tech at TechNode. His China-related reporting has also appeared in The Guardian. When he's not chasing headlines, you'll find him savoring hot pot and shabu shabu in a Taipei local haunt. Timmy holds an MS degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Send tips to [email protected] or get in touch on X/Telegram @timmyhmshen.

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