FRA will conduct thorough assessments of Binance's operations, including access to internal records, premises, and personnel, to provide regular updates to the government on the exchange's compliance efforts.
Initially considered for the monitoring role, law firm Sullivan and Cromwell lost out to FRA due to concerns over its prior involvement with a competitor exchange, FTX, amidst allegations of fraud.
Binance's plea deal and subsequent appointment of FRA underscore the heightened scrutiny and legal consequences faced by cryptocurrency exchanges for regulatory non-compliance.
The appointment of FRA comes in the wake of the sentencing of Binance's former CEO, Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, to four months in prison for lapses in maintaining effective Anti-Money Laundering measures.
While Binance navigates regulatory challenges, ongoing monitoring efforts reflect a broader trend of increased regulatory scrutiny within the cryptocurrency industry, signaling a shift towards compliance and accountability.