Binance joins sanctions association to improve compliance standards

The move signals a desire to fall in line with regulators following several industry scandals.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, announced on Friday it would become the first crypto exchange to join the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS).

“We aim to leverage ACSS training materials, databases, and networks to further compliance standards within the crypto industry,” the company said in a press release.

Changpeng Zhao, CEO of Binance, provided context earlier in the week in a Tweet:

“The blockchain industry is still in its early years, and it’s our priority to continue upholding the highest level of compliance amid a fast-evolving space,” said Chagri Poyraz, Binance’s Global Head of Sanctions. “By working closely with the ACSS, we will take our sanctions compliance standards to a level that is recognized by a reputable industry association and provide upskilling opportunities for our compliance team. At the end of the day, we want to continue setting the industry standard for security and compliance alongside other industry players.”

The Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS) describes itself as a professional membership body for sanctions professionals worldwide, formed to advance sanctions compliance by supporting the professional development of the individuals who lead those efforts. Financial institutions are among the businesses that depend on the ACSS to assist them with their sanctions compliance needs.

“We are proud to have been chosen by Binance, a world leader in blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure,” said ACSS Executive Director Saskia Rietbroek. “ACSS, as an organization specializing in providing sanctions training for multinational corporations and financial institutions, will ensure the highest quality of training to the team at Binance in this dynamic sector and help advance compliance in the crypto industry.”