Playing by the Rules: Why BingX's Sanction Defiance Could Be Costly

In the realm of cryptocurrency exchanges, playing by the rules isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a must for staying in the game. Most major centralized exchanges (CEXs) strive to adhere to these regulations, implementing measures to prevent money laundering and illicit activities. However, a recent controversy has emerged with BingX, a top CEX, defying US sanctions by allowing Iranian users full access to its platform.

BingX facilitates Iranian Rial trading, directly violating US sanctions. They allow Iranian users to trade cryptocurrencies without KYC verification. This, along with offering peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions using Iranian fiat currency, further raises red flags. This incident is reminiscent of the past troubles faced by giants like Binance, who were caught facilitating transactions for sanctioned individuals, resulting in a $4.5 billion plea deal with US authorities in 2023.

The question remains: will this defiance by BingX lead to its downfall? Regulatory bodies in the US, like the SEC or DOJ, might take action.However, the severity of the situation raises questions about the long-term viability of the exchange and whether it may face the prospect of closure or severe penalties for its actions. As governments grapple with the complexities of digital assets, CEXs that prioritize expansion over compliance will likely face increasing scrutiny and potential consequences.