A pair of United States federal court rulings have dismissed Anti Terrorism Act claims against Binance, marking a significant legal victory for the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
Key Takeaways
- Two United States federal courts have dismissed Anti Terrorism Act claims against Binance within two weeks.
- The rulings came from courts in New York and Alabama, both finding the complaints legally insufficient.
- Judges ruled plaintiffs failed to prove any connection between Binance and terrorist activities.
- The decisions highlight the need for strong evidence and legal rigor in cases involving terrorism financing allegations.
What Happened?
Two United States federal courts have dismissed lawsuits accusing Binance of violating the Anti-Terrorism Act. The decisions came from the Southern District of New York and a federal court in Alabama, both concluding that the claims failed to meet legal standards.
Together, the rulings reject allegations that Binance provided support related to terrorist attacks and represent a major legal win for the cryptocurrency exchange.
We’re proud to announce that a U.S. federal court in Alabama has dismissed all claims against #Binance in a lawsuit brought under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
— Binance (@binance) March 12, 2026
This ruling comes just days after a separate U.S. federal court in the Southern District of New York also dismissed all ATA… pic.twitter.com/IgrKKmKk62
Federal Courts Reject Claims Against Binance
The first major decision came from the Southern District of New York, where 535 plaintiffs accused Binance of providing material support connected to 64 terrorist attacks.
In a detailed 62 page ruling, the court determined that the plaintiffs failed to establish their central allegations. The judge found no evidence that Binance assisted terrorists, associated itself with terrorist groups, or participated in any conspiracy related to the attacks.
The court also ruled that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate that Binance sought to advance terrorist activity through its platform.
Following the decision, Eleanor Hughes, Binance’s General Counsel, strongly defended the exchange.
The New York court allowed the plaintiffs 60 days to submit an amended complaint after a recent appellate decision, though the ruling emphasized the serious shortcomings in the original case.
Alabama Court Calls Complaint Deficient
Just days after the New York ruling, a United States federal court in Alabama dismissed a separate lawsuit that also accused Binance of violating the Anti-Terrorism Act.
In its 19-page decision, the court described the complaint as a “shotgun pleading” that failed to clearly outline the claims against individual defendants.
The judge stated that the filing was both legally and factually deficient, noting that the plaintiffs did not provide the required clear statement explaining how Binance’s actions were connected to terrorist activities.
The court granted plaintiffs until April 10, 2026 to submit an amended complaint that addresses the identified issues. The judge warned that failure to fix those deficiencies could result in the case being permanently dismissed.
Legal Context Around Binance
The back to back rulings arrive during a complex legal period for Binance.
In 2023, the exchange reached a 4.3 billion dollar settlement with the United States Department of Justice related to anti-money laundering violations. Importantly, that settlement did not include any charges tied to terrorism financing.
Binance has also recently taken legal action of its own. On March 11, the company filed a defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over a report that alleged the exchange concealed an internal investigation involving 1.7 billion dollars in transactions linked to Iran connected entities. Binance described the reporting as false and defamatory.
Despite ongoing scrutiny, the company says it continues to invest heavily in compliance systems, regulatory engagement, and legal governance.
Hughes emphasized the importance of evidence based legal scrutiny in cases involving national security issues.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
From my perspective, these rulings are one of the strongest legal validations Binance has received in recent years. Courts rarely dismiss such serious allegations without carefully reviewing the facts, and seeing two separate federal courts reach the same conclusion carries weight.
In my experience covering crypto regulation, accusations involving terrorism financing can quickly shape public perception even before courts evaluate the evidence. What stands out here is that judges clearly emphasized legal standards and proof rather than speculation. I believe this will influence how similar lawsuits against crypto companies are evaluated going forward.
At the same time, Binance remains under intense regulatory attention worldwide. So while these decisions strengthen its legal position in the United States, the broader debate around crypto compliance and global regulation is far from over.
