Binance reportedly dismantled an internal investigation into suspicious transactions after investigators flagged $1 billion in payments moving to entities in sanctioned Iran. The probe was halted weeks after former President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, raising questions about the company's compliance priorities.

Investigators who raised concerns about the transactions were suspended, according to sources familiar with the matter. Binance has denied that the inquiry ended or that staff were fired for flagging the Iran-related payments, maintaining that the company remains committed to regulatory compliance despite the controversy.

The timing of the probe's dissolution following the presidential pardon has drawn scrutiny from compliance experts. The $1 billion in flagged transactions represents a significant compliance failure that could attract renewed regulatory attention to the cryptocurrency exchange, which has already paid billions in penalties for previous violations.