Binance Denies DOJ Memo Claims, Says US Law Enforcement Cooperation Remains Unchanged

Binance has rejected reports that it plans to scale back cooperation with US law enforcement, saying a recent Department of Justice (DOJ) memo may have misinterpreted its obligations under Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) regulations. The exchange insists it will continue responding to requests from US authorities in the same manner as before.

Speaking to BeInCrypto, Binance’s Head of Corporate Communications said the company has already informed both the DOJ and ADGM that its process for handling requests from American law enforcement agencies will remain unchanged. The spokesperson emphasized that Binance has no intention of altering its relationship with US investigators.

The controversy emerged after reports that an internal DOJ memo warned prosecutors they could receive less assistance from Binance in crypto-related investigations. According to the memo, investigators would allegedly need to rely on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) instead of courtesy account freezes when seeking to freeze or seize assets.

Although Binance said it has not seen the memo, it disputes the conclusion that its cooperation policy is changing. The company believes the confusion stems from interpretations of ADGM's data protection rules following Binance.com's licensing under the Abu Dhabi regulatory framework in January 2026.

ADGM guidance generally limits the transfer of personal data outside the UAE, potentially requiring overseas law enforcement requests to follow treaty-based channels. However, the same guidance also allows data transfers connected to legal claims and even references requests from US authorities as valid examples, providing Binance with a legal basis to continue cooperating directly with American agencies.

The issue has gained attention because Binance's relationship with the DOJ remains under scrutiny following its 2023 guilty plea over anti-money laundering and sanctions violations, which resulted in a $4.3 billion settlement. While the agreement initially required an independent compliance monitor, the DOJ later scaled back corporate monitorships, increasing the importance of voluntary cooperation from crypto exchanges.

Binance maintains that its engagement with US authorities is expanding rather than shrinking. The company said it immediately contacted the DOJ to clarify the situation and reaffirmed its commitment to combating illicit blockchain activity. The DOJ has not publicly commented on the reported memo, leaving uncertainty over whether it will revise its internal guidance.