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The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Binance's appeal regarding a class-action lawsuit that accuses the cryptocurrency exchange of violating securities laws. This decision allows the lawsuit, initially filed in 2020, to proceed, intensifying the legal challenges faced by the world's largest crypto exchange.
Key Takeaways
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The Supreme Court's refusal to review the case means Binance will face a class-action lawsuit from investors.
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The lawsuit alleges that Binance sold unregistered tokens and failed to disclose risks.
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Binance argued that U.S. securities laws should not apply to its operations outside the U.S.
Background Of The Case
In 2020, a group of investors filed a class-action lawsuit against Binance, claiming that the exchange engaged in the illegal sale of unregistered tokens. The investors allege that they suffered significant losses due to Binance's failure to warn them about the risks associated with tokens like ELF, EOS, FUN, ICX, OMG, QSP, and TRX.
Initially, the lawsuit was dismissed by a U.S. District Judge in March 2022, who ruled that the investors had filed too late and that U.S. securities laws did not apply to Binance, as it was not a domestic exchange. However, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived the case in March 2024, stating that the investors had plausibly alleged that U.S. securities laws could apply to their transactions.
Supreme Court's Decision
On January 13, 2025, the Supreme Court denied Binance's petition for a review of the lower court's ruling. Binance had argued that the application of U.S. securities laws to its operations was a misinterpretation of the Morrison v. National Australia Bank decision, which limited the extraterritorial reach of U.S. laws. The exchange contended that allowing U.S. laws to apply to foreign platforms could set a precedent for global liability in securities transactions.
Despite these arguments, the Supreme Court's decision allows the class-action lawsuit to move forward, as the 2nd Circuit found that the finalization of token purchases occurred in the U.S., thus establishing jurisdiction.
Implications For Binance
The Supreme Court's ruling adds to the mounting legal troubles for Binance, which has faced scrutiny from regulators worldwide. In addition to this class-action lawsuit, Binance has been involved in various legal challenges, including a $4.3 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice for violations related to money laundering and terrorism financing laws.
Furthermore, Binance's founder, Changpeng Zhao, has faced personal legal issues, including a four-month prison sentence related to the company's operations. The ongoing legal battles could significantly impact Binance's operations and reputation in the cryptocurrency market.
Sources
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US Supreme Court Rejects Binance Appeal In Revived Lawsuit, Bitcoinist.
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Binance Fails to Get Supreme Court Review on Reach of US Laws, Bloomberg Law News.
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Binance Faces US Class Action Lawsuit After Supreme Court Rejects Appeal - Fintech Singapore, Fintech Singapore.
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Binance to face class action after US Supreme Court denies petition for review, Cointelegraph.