Binance Strategized to Avoid US Laws, CFTC Says: Crypto in DC

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s lawsuit against Binance Holdings Ltd. is spooking trading companies that worked with the crypto exchange, as those caught in the crossfire could end up losing their licenses to operate in the US.

The agency is accusing Binance chief executive officer Changpeng Zhao and others of taking steps to violate US laws, including instructing some American customers to use virtual private networks to obscure their location or opening Binance accounts under the name of shell companies.

Binance said it has been taking steps to bolster its compliance and actions to prevent Americans from trading on ...