Binance's Former CEO Seeks Permission to Leave U.S. Before Sentencing

Lawyers for former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao are urging a U.S. judge to allow him to return to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before his sentencing for violating anti-money laundering requirements. Zhao, who pleaded guilty to causing the global cryptocurrency exchange to fail to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, stepped down as CEO and agreed to pay a $150 million penalty. The Justice Department has requested that Zhao be barred from leaving the U.S. until his sentencing, citing concerns about his potential flight risk. However, Zhao's lawyers argue that he has demonstrated he is not a flight risk and should be allowed to return to the UAE to take care of his family and prepare for his sentencing.