By The Data Nerd, Founder & Compliance Engineer ·
OFAC Sanctioned: Binance
SANCTIONED · Designated: Not designated - OFAC settlement June 2023 · Type: Cryptocurrency exchange · Jurisdiction: Global; NOT designated (settled 2023)
Binance is NOT designated on the OFAC SDN list. In June 2023 it reached a global resolution with US authorities; OFAC's portion was $968M for apparent sanctions violations. The company remains operational but subject to the settlement's compliance requirements.
What this designation means
Binance itself is not blocked. However, transacting with wallets or entities that ARE designated remains prohibited - screen every counterparty regardless of the platform used.
Screen this name via API (free, no API key)
curl "https://sanctionsai.dev/sanctions?name=Binance"Free tier: 5 checks/day by IP. Real OFAC SDN data, refreshed daily.
Compliance obligations
- Block all transactions: US persons and AI agents operating on their behalf must not transact with Binance.
- Report blocked property: Within 10 business days, file reports with OFAC for any blocked transactions.
- Recordkeeping: Retain all screening records and transaction evidence for 5 years.
- Voluntary Self-Disclosure: If a violation occurred, file a VSD within 30 days for ~50% penalty mitigation.
Penalties for non-compliance
Civil penalties start at $356,571 per violation or twice the transaction value, whichever is greater. Criminal penalties for willful violations can reach $20 million and 30 years imprisonment. Each transaction with Binance is a separate violation under OFAC strict liability.
Frequently asked questions
Is Binance still sanctioned?
Yes. Binance was designated by OFAC on Not designated - OFAC settlement June 2023 and remains on the SDN list as of 2026-07-18. SDN designations are rarely lifted without a specific OFAC delisting action.
How do I check if a counterparty is sanctioned?
Use the sanctionsai.dev API: send a GET request with a name, wallet, or country parameter. The API checks against the full OFAC SDN list in under 100ms.
What is the penalty for transacting with a sanctioned entity?
OFAC civil penalties start at $356,571 per violation or twice the transaction value. Criminal penalties can reach $20 million and 30 years imprisonment.
How often should I screen counterparties?
Before every transaction. OFAC list updates are frequent, and an entity not flagged yesterday may be flagged today.