News

• The price of Near Protocol’s NEAR holds $1.00 support after the recent pullback.
• The next target zone for NEAR price is at $1.40–$1.44.
• Momentum appears to be building quietly with strong fundamentals.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR) price is showing signs of stabilisation after a modest pullback to the $1.00 level.

The altcoins recently broke out of a rectangle consolidation pattern, surging to a high of $1.24, but the price is now retesting the breakout area.

This level, often referred to as the Resistance-Becomes-Support (RBS) zone, is now acting as a critical support point, and how NEAR behaves here could determine the next leg of its price movement.

Notably, the breakout that preceded the pullback was supported by noticeable trading volume, suggesting that buyers remain interested and that the market has not exhausted itself.

While the price action doesn’t yet look explosive, momentum appears to be quietly building in the background, and sellers are less aggressive, and the structure of the chart is tightening, creating a base that could support higher prices in the near term.

Technical analysis signals a potential upside

If NEAR can hold above the $1.00 support over the next few days, the next target area that traders should watch is between $1.40 and $1.44.

This level aligns with previous resistance points and could serve as a short-term objective for traders monitoring the breakout.

Beyond these immediate targets, some analysts see potential for even larger moves.

A move toward $5 might sound ambitious at this stage, but it is not outside the realm of possibility in the context of broader market optimism.

If capital flows back into strong layer 1 projects and the crypto market enters a risk-on phase, Near Protocol could see sustained interest from investors.

Fundamental analysis supports the bullish outlook

Despite recent declines from its all-time high of $20.44, NEAR has maintained a market cap of around $1.46 billion, with trading volumes nearing $197 million in 24 hours.

These figures show that the network still has liquidity and a foundation that can support price stability during market fluctuations.

In addition, social sentiment and technical activity suggest that NEAR is quietly building a base.

The combination of a tightening chart structure, diminishing selling pressure, and ongoing ecosystem improvements provides a setup that could favour a continuation rally.

NEAR’s network is also actively expanding its functionality and cross-chain capabilities.

On February 25, NEAR launched a Confidential Intents feature, a cross-chain transaction privacy tool built into NEAR Intents to tackle DeFi transparency issues.

Cross-chain execution layers allow users to move assets seamlessly between different networks, which could increase usage and adoption over time.

Wallet integrations and enhancements to transaction efficiency also make the protocol more user-friendly.

Moving forward, traders and investors should closely watch the $1.00 support, as holding this level could pave the way for a test of $1.40–$1.44 and possibly beyond.

The post NEAR Protocol stabilizes at $1.00 after slight pullback: is a rally toward $1.40–$1.44 next? appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Bitcoin stalls near $67,000 after partial recovery from all-time highs.
• On-chain data shows half of BTC is held at a loss, hinting at market fatigue.
• Analyst warns deeper correction possible, with bottom around $45,000.

Bitcoin’s recent recovery attempt has stalled just below $70,000, with the cryptocurrency slipping back to around $67,250 at press time.

The drop comes as the broader crypto market struggles to maintain upward momentum following a few months of volatility.

After reaching an all-time high of $126,080 in October 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) has now retraced nearly half of its value.

All eyes are now on the cryptocurrency as it appears to consolidate around $67,000 after the steep drawdown.

Analyst Willy Woo warns of further downside

Renowned on-chain analyst Willy Woo has predicted a significant price correction following the recent bounce.

He estimates that the bear market bottom could be around $45,000, with more extreme scenarios potentially testing $30,000 or even lower.

Woo’s caution stems from declining liquidity across spot and derivatives markets, which historically reduces the strength of rallies.

He suggests that Bitcoin may briefly climb to the mid-$70,000 range before facing renewed downward pressure.

On-chain signals hint at market fatigue

On-chain metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be entering the later stages of a bear market cycle rather than the early phase.

Roughly half of all circulating BTC, nearly 9.2 million coins, are currently held at a loss, according to the latest weekly report by on-chain analytics firm Glassnode.

Historically, such levels indicate significant selling pressure and potential capitulation, yet the pace of accumulation by long-term holders hints at a market beginning to stabilise.

Some analysts view these patterns as signs that bitcoin’s price may be closer to a bottom than the start of a prolonged decline.

The balance between holders in profit and those in loss is an important measure of market sentiment, and it shows that while short-term volatility remains high, there is underlying support at current levels.

Bitcoin ETF inflows show cautious optimism

Institutional investors have recently stepped back into the market, with Bitcoin ETFs recording over $1 billion in net inflows over a few days.

This trend follows a period of withdrawals totalling nearly $3 billion, signalling that some investors see the current price as a buying opportunity.

Spot ETFs, in particular, are attracting attention from long-term investors looking for regulated exposure to Bitcoin.

The renewed interest demonstrates that, despite the pullback from all-time highs, there is confidence in the asset’s long-term prospects.

However, inflows are not a guarantee of sustained upward momentum.

Short-term technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin is trading near the top of a tight consolidation range between $67,000 and $68,000, and a breakout above this zone could spark a rally, although rejection may force the price back toward $63,000 or lower.

The post Bitcoin price recovery falters, drops to $67k as popular analyst predicts major crash appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Bitcoin stalls near $67,000 after partial recovery from all-time highs.
• On-chain data shows half of BTC is held at a loss, hinting at market fatigue.
• Analyst warns deeper correction possible, with bottom around $45,000.

Bitcoin’s recent recovery attempt has stalled just below $70,000, with the cryptocurrency slipping back to around $67,250 at press time.

The drop comes as the broader crypto market struggles to maintain upward momentum following a few months of volatility.

After reaching an all-time high of $126,080 in October 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) has now retraced nearly half of its value.

All eyes are now on the cryptocurrency as it appears to consolidate around $67,000 after the steep drawdown.

Analyst Willy Woo warns of further downside

Renowned on-chain analyst Willy Woo has predicted a significant price correction following the recent bounce.

He estimates that the bear market bottom could be around $45,000, with more extreme scenarios potentially testing $30,000 or even lower.

Woo’s caution stems from declining liquidity across spot and derivatives markets, which historically reduces the strength of rallies.

He suggests that Bitcoin may briefly climb to the mid-$70,000 range before facing renewed downward pressure.

On-chain signals hint at market fatigue

On-chain metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be entering the later stages of a bear market cycle rather than the early phase.

Roughly half of all circulating BTC, nearly 9.2 million coins, are currently held at a loss, according to the latest weekly report by on-chain analytics firm Glassnode.

Historically, such levels indicate significant selling pressure and potential capitulation, yet the pace of accumulation by long-term holders hints at a market beginning to stabilise.

Some analysts view these patterns as signs that bitcoin’s price may be closer to a bottom than the start of a prolonged decline.

The balance between holders in profit and those in loss is an important measure of market sentiment, and it shows that while short-term volatility remains high, there is underlying support at current levels.

Bitcoin ETF inflows show cautious optimism

Institutional investors have recently stepped back into the market, with Bitcoin ETFs recording over $1 billion in net inflows over a few days.

This trend follows a period of withdrawals totalling nearly $3 billion, signalling that some investors see the current price as a buying opportunity.

Spot ETFs, in particular, are attracting attention from long-term investors looking for regulated exposure to Bitcoin.

The renewed interest demonstrates that, despite the pullback from all-time highs, there is confidence in the asset’s long-term prospects.

However, inflows are not a guarantee of sustained upward momentum.

Short-term technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin is trading near the top of a tight consolidation range between $67,000 and $68,000, and a breakout above this zone could spark a rally, although rejection may force the price back toward $63,000 or lower.

The post Bitcoin price recovery falters, drops to $67k as popular analyst predicts major crash appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Bitcoin stalls near $67,000 after partial recovery from all-time highs.
• On-chain data shows half of BTC is held at a loss, hinting at market fatigue.
• Analyst warns deeper correction possible, with bottom around $45,000.

Bitcoin’s recent recovery attempt has stalled just below $70,000, with the cryptocurrency slipping back to around $67,250 at press time.

The drop comes as the broader crypto market struggles to maintain upward momentum following a few months of volatility.

After reaching an all-time high of $126,080 in October 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) has now retraced nearly half of its value.

All eyes are now on the cryptocurrency as it appears to consolidate around $67,000 after the steep drawdown.

Analyst Willy Woo warns of further downside

Renowned on-chain analyst Willy Woo has predicted a significant price correction following the recent bounce.

He estimates that the bear market bottom could be around $45,000, with more extreme scenarios potentially testing $30,000 or even lower.

Woo’s caution stems from declining liquidity across spot and derivatives markets, which historically reduces the strength of rallies.

He suggests that Bitcoin may briefly climb to the mid-$70,000 range before facing renewed downward pressure.

On-chain signals hint at market fatigue

On-chain metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be entering the later stages of a bear market cycle rather than the early phase.

Roughly half of all circulating BTC, nearly 9.2 million coins, are currently held at a loss, according to the latest weekly report by on-chain analytics firm Glassnode.

Historically, such levels indicate significant selling pressure and potential capitulation, yet the pace of accumulation by long-term holders hints at a market beginning to stabilise.

Some analysts view these patterns as signs that bitcoin’s price may be closer to a bottom than the start of a prolonged decline.

The balance between holders in profit and those in loss is an important measure of market sentiment, and it shows that while short-term volatility remains high, there is underlying support at current levels.

Bitcoin ETF inflows show cautious optimism

Institutional investors have recently stepped back into the market, with Bitcoin ETFs recording over $1 billion in net inflows over a few days.

This trend follows a period of withdrawals totalling nearly $3 billion, signalling that some investors see the current price as a buying opportunity.

Spot ETFs, in particular, are attracting attention from long-term investors looking for regulated exposure to Bitcoin.

The renewed interest demonstrates that, despite the pullback from all-time highs, there is confidence in the asset’s long-term prospects.

However, inflows are not a guarantee of sustained upward momentum.

Short-term technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin is trading near the top of a tight consolidation range between $67,000 and $68,000, and a breakout above this zone could spark a rally, although rejection may force the price back toward $63,000 or lower.

The post Bitcoin price recovery falters, drops to $67k as popular analyst predicts major crash appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Bitcoin stalls near $67,000 after partial recovery from all-time highs.
• On-chain data shows half of BTC is held at a loss, hinting at market fatigue.
• Analyst warns deeper correction possible, with bottom around $45,000.

Bitcoin’s recent recovery attempt has stalled just below $70,000, with the cryptocurrency slipping back to around $67,250 at press time.

The drop comes as the broader crypto market struggles to maintain upward momentum following a few months of volatility.

After reaching an all-time high of $126,080 in October 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) has now retraced nearly half of its value.

All eyes are now on the cryptocurrency as it appears to consolidate around $67,000 after the steep drawdown.

Analyst Willy Woo warns of further downside

Renowned on-chain analyst Willy Woo has predicted a significant price correction following the recent bounce.

He estimates that the bear market bottom could be around $45,000, with more extreme scenarios potentially testing $30,000 or even lower.

Woo’s caution stems from declining liquidity across spot and derivatives markets, which historically reduces the strength of rallies.

He suggests that Bitcoin may briefly climb to the mid-$70,000 range before facing renewed downward pressure.

On-chain signals hint at market fatigue

On-chain metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be entering the later stages of a bear market cycle rather than the early phase.

Roughly half of all circulating BTC, nearly 9.2 million coins, are currently held at a loss, according to the latest weekly report by on-chain analytics firm Glassnode.

Historically, such levels indicate significant selling pressure and potential capitulation, yet the pace of accumulation by long-term holders hints at a market beginning to stabilise.

Some analysts view these patterns as signs that bitcoin’s price may be closer to a bottom than the start of a prolonged decline.

The balance between holders in profit and those in loss is an important measure of market sentiment, and it shows that while short-term volatility remains high, there is underlying support at current levels.

Bitcoin ETF inflows show cautious optimism

Institutional investors have recently stepped back into the market, with Bitcoin ETFs recording over $1 billion in net inflows over a few days.

This trend follows a period of withdrawals totalling nearly $3 billion, signalling that some investors see the current price as a buying opportunity.

Spot ETFs, in particular, are attracting attention from long-term investors looking for regulated exposure to Bitcoin.

The renewed interest demonstrates that, despite the pullback from all-time highs, there is confidence in the asset’s long-term prospects.

However, inflows are not a guarantee of sustained upward momentum.

Short-term technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin is trading near the top of a tight consolidation range between $67,000 and $68,000, and a breakout above this zone could spark a rally, although rejection may force the price back toward $63,000 or lower.

The post Bitcoin price recovery falters, drops to $67k as popular analyst predicts major crash appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Bitcoin stalls near $67,000 after partial recovery from all-time highs.
• On-chain data shows half of BTC is held at a loss, hinting at market fatigue.
• Analyst warns deeper correction possible, with bottom around $45,000.

Bitcoin’s recent recovery attempt has stalled just below $70,000, with the cryptocurrency slipping back to around $67,250 at press time.

The drop comes as the broader crypto market struggles to maintain upward momentum following a few months of volatility.

After reaching an all-time high of $126,080 in October 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) has now retraced nearly half of its value.

All eyes are now on the cryptocurrency as it appears to consolidate around $67,000 after the steep drawdown.

Analyst Willy Woo warns of further downside

Renowned on-chain analyst Willy Woo has predicted a significant price correction following the recent bounce.

He estimates that the bear market bottom could be around $45,000, with more extreme scenarios potentially testing $30,000 or even lower.

Woo’s caution stems from declining liquidity across spot and derivatives markets, which historically reduces the strength of rallies.

He suggests that Bitcoin may briefly climb to the mid-$70,000 range before facing renewed downward pressure.

On-chain signals hint at market fatigue

On-chain metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be entering the later stages of a bear market cycle rather than the early phase.

Roughly half of all circulating BTC, nearly 9.2 million coins, are currently held at a loss, according to the latest weekly report by on-chain analytics firm Glassnode.

Historically, such levels indicate significant selling pressure and potential capitulation, yet the pace of accumulation by long-term holders hints at a market beginning to stabilise.

Some analysts view these patterns as signs that bitcoin’s price may be closer to a bottom than the start of a prolonged decline.

The balance between holders in profit and those in loss is an important measure of market sentiment, and it shows that while short-term volatility remains high, there is underlying support at current levels.

Bitcoin ETF inflows show cautious optimism

Institutional investors have recently stepped back into the market, with Bitcoin ETFs recording over $1 billion in net inflows over a few days.

This trend follows a period of withdrawals totalling nearly $3 billion, signalling that some investors see the current price as a buying opportunity.

Spot ETFs, in particular, are attracting attention from long-term investors looking for regulated exposure to Bitcoin.

The renewed interest demonstrates that, despite the pullback from all-time highs, there is confidence in the asset’s long-term prospects.

However, inflows are not a guarantee of sustained upward momentum.

Short-term technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin is trading near the top of a tight consolidation range between $67,000 and $68,000, and a breakout above this zone could spark a rally, although rejection may force the price back toward $63,000 or lower.

The post Bitcoin price recovery falters, drops to $67k as popular analyst predicts major crash appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Bitcoin stalls near $67,000 after partial recovery from all-time highs.
• On-chain data shows half of BTC is held at a loss, hinting at market fatigue.
• Analyst warns deeper correction possible, with bottom around $45,000.

Bitcoin’s recent recovery attempt has stalled just below $70,000, with the cryptocurrency slipping back to around $67,250 at press time.

The drop comes as the broader crypto market struggles to maintain upward momentum following a few months of volatility.

After reaching an all-time high of $126,080 in October 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) has now retraced nearly half of its value.

All eyes are now on the cryptocurrency as it appears to consolidate around $67,000 after the steep drawdown.

Analyst Willy Woo warns of further downside

Renowned on-chain analyst Willy Woo has predicted a significant price correction following the recent bounce.

He estimates that the bear market bottom could be around $45,000, with more extreme scenarios potentially testing $30,000 or even lower.

Woo’s caution stems from declining liquidity across spot and derivatives markets, which historically reduces the strength of rallies.

He suggests that Bitcoin may briefly climb to the mid-$70,000 range before facing renewed downward pressure.

On-chain signals hint at market fatigue

On-chain metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be entering the later stages of a bear market cycle rather than the early phase.

Roughly half of all circulating BTC, nearly 9.2 million coins, are currently held at a loss, according to the latest weekly report by on-chain analytics firm Glassnode.

Historically, such levels indicate significant selling pressure and potential capitulation, yet the pace of accumulation by long-term holders hints at a market beginning to stabilise.

Some analysts view these patterns as signs that bitcoin’s price may be closer to a bottom than the start of a prolonged decline.

The balance between holders in profit and those in loss is an important measure of market sentiment, and it shows that while short-term volatility remains high, there is underlying support at current levels.

Bitcoin ETF inflows show cautious optimism

Institutional investors have recently stepped back into the market, with Bitcoin ETFs recording over $1 billion in net inflows over a few days.

This trend follows a period of withdrawals totalling nearly $3 billion, signalling that some investors see the current price as a buying opportunity.

Spot ETFs, in particular, are attracting attention from long-term investors looking for regulated exposure to Bitcoin.

The renewed interest demonstrates that, despite the pullback from all-time highs, there is confidence in the asset’s long-term prospects.

However, inflows are not a guarantee of sustained upward momentum.

Short-term technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin is trading near the top of a tight consolidation range between $67,000 and $68,000, and a breakout above this zone could spark a rally, although rejection may force the price back toward $63,000 or lower.

The post Bitcoin price recovery falters, drops to $67k as popular analyst predicts major crash appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Bitcoin stalls near $67,000 after partial recovery from all-time highs.
• On-chain data shows half of BTC is held at a loss, hinting at market fatigue.
• Analyst warns deeper correction possible, with bottom around $45,000.

Bitcoin’s recent recovery attempt has stalled just below $70,000, with the cryptocurrency slipping back to around $67,250 at press time.

The drop comes as the broader crypto market struggles to maintain upward momentum following a few months of volatility.

After reaching an all-time high of $126,080 in October 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) has now retraced nearly half of its value.

All eyes are now on the cryptocurrency as it appears to consolidate around $67,000 after the steep drawdown.

Analyst Willy Woo warns of further downside

Renowned on-chain analyst Willy Woo has predicted a significant price correction following the recent bounce.

He estimates that the bear market bottom could be around $45,000, with more extreme scenarios potentially testing $30,000 or even lower.

Woo’s caution stems from declining liquidity across spot and derivatives markets, which historically reduces the strength of rallies.

He suggests that Bitcoin may briefly climb to the mid-$70,000 range before facing renewed downward pressure.

On-chain signals hint at market fatigue

On-chain metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be entering the later stages of a bear market cycle rather than the early phase.

Roughly half of all circulating BTC, nearly 9.2 million coins, are currently held at a loss, according to the latest weekly report by on-chain analytics firm Glassnode.

Historically, such levels indicate significant selling pressure and potential capitulation, yet the pace of accumulation by long-term holders hints at a market beginning to stabilise.

Some analysts view these patterns as signs that bitcoin’s price may be closer to a bottom than the start of a prolonged decline.

The balance between holders in profit and those in loss is an important measure of market sentiment, and it shows that while short-term volatility remains high, there is underlying support at current levels.

Bitcoin ETF inflows show cautious optimism

Institutional investors have recently stepped back into the market, with Bitcoin ETFs recording over $1 billion in net inflows over a few days.

This trend follows a period of withdrawals totalling nearly $3 billion, signalling that some investors see the current price as a buying opportunity.

Spot ETFs, in particular, are attracting attention from long-term investors looking for regulated exposure to Bitcoin.

The renewed interest demonstrates that, despite the pullback from all-time highs, there is confidence in the asset’s long-term prospects.

However, inflows are not a guarantee of sustained upward momentum.

Short-term technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin is trading near the top of a tight consolidation range between $67,000 and $68,000, and a breakout above this zone could spark a rally, although rejection may force the price back toward $63,000 or lower.

The post Bitcoin price recovery falters, drops to $67k as popular analyst predicts major crash appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Bitcoin stalls near $67,000 after partial recovery from all-time highs.
• On-chain data shows half of BTC is held at a loss, hinting at market fatigue.
• Analyst warns deeper correction possible, with bottom around $45,000.

Bitcoin’s recent recovery attempt has stalled just below $70,000, with the cryptocurrency slipping back to around $67,250 at press time.

The drop comes as the broader crypto market struggles to maintain upward momentum following a few months of volatility.

After reaching an all-time high of $126,080 in October 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) has now retraced nearly half of its value.

All eyes are now on the cryptocurrency as it appears to consolidate around $67,000 after the steep drawdown.

Analyst Willy Woo warns of further downside

Renowned on-chain analyst Willy Woo has predicted a significant price correction following the recent bounce.

He estimates that the bear market bottom could be around $45,000, with more extreme scenarios potentially testing $30,000 or even lower.

Woo’s caution stems from declining liquidity across spot and derivatives markets, which historically reduces the strength of rallies.

He suggests that Bitcoin may briefly climb to the mid-$70,000 range before facing renewed downward pressure.

On-chain signals hint at market fatigue

On-chain metrics suggest that Bitcoin may be entering the later stages of a bear market cycle rather than the early phase.

Roughly half of all circulating BTC, nearly 9.2 million coins, are currently held at a loss, according to the latest weekly report by on-chain analytics firm Glassnode.

Historically, such levels indicate significant selling pressure and potential capitulation, yet the pace of accumulation by long-term holders hints at a market beginning to stabilise.

Some analysts view these patterns as signs that bitcoin’s price may be closer to a bottom than the start of a prolonged decline.

The balance between holders in profit and those in loss is an important measure of market sentiment, and it shows that while short-term volatility remains high, there is underlying support at current levels.

Bitcoin ETF inflows show cautious optimism

Institutional investors have recently stepped back into the market, with Bitcoin ETFs recording over $1 billion in net inflows over a few days.

This trend follows a period of withdrawals totalling nearly $3 billion, signalling that some investors see the current price as a buying opportunity.

Spot ETFs, in particular, are attracting attention from long-term investors looking for regulated exposure to Bitcoin.

The renewed interest demonstrates that, despite the pullback from all-time highs, there is confidence in the asset’s long-term prospects.

However, inflows are not a guarantee of sustained upward momentum.

Short-term technical indicators suggest that Bitcoin is trading near the top of a tight consolidation range between $67,000 and $68,000, and a breakout above this zone could spark a rally, although rejection may force the price back toward $63,000 or lower.

The post Bitcoin price recovery falters, drops to $67k as popular analyst predicts major crash appeared first on CoinJournal.

Key Takeaways

• The transactions allegedly included transfers to wallets associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
• Leung stated the firm’s work with Binance was limited to routine disbursements including invoices and payroll

World’s largest crypto exchange Binance’s internal compliance team identified substantial transaction flows connecting the crypto exchange to Iranian entities during 2024 and 2025, as per reports published Monday by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, raising fresh scrutiny over the platform’s sanctions compliance procedures.

Binance investigators discovered that over 1,500 accounts on the platform had been accessed from Iran, with around USD 1.7 billion flowing from two specific Binance accounts to Iran-linked entities, the New York Times reported. The transactions allegedly included transfers to wallets associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

One account belonged to Blessed Trust, a Hong Kong payments firm that operated as a fiat currency partner for Binance. Probe also presented their findings to senior leadership including CEO Richard Teng and Chief Compliance Officer Noah Perlman, according to the Times.

Leung Ka Kui, a director at Blessed Trust, told them that his company did not knowingly facilitate sanctions-breaching transactions or process payments to Iranian entities.

Leung stated the firm’s work with Binance was limited to routine disbursements including invoices and payroll. Blessed Trust could not immediately be reached for additional comment.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the internal probe identified a second Hong Kong entity, Hexa Whale Trading, which allegedly moved approximately USD500 million in USDT stablecoin to the same Iranian network.

Probe also concluded the funds ultimately supported Iran-backed groups including Yemen’s Houthi militants, according to documents cited by both publications. The compliance team’s findings indicated these transaction patterns occurred throughout 2024 and into early 2025.

The situation took a controversial turn when several investigators who flagged the Iranian connections faced disciplinary action. 

At least four investigators were suspended or dismissed in 2025 after presenting their findings, with Binance citing alleged protocol violations related to handling confidential client data, the New York Times reported.

Fortune previously claimed that investigators who identified more than $1 billion in transactions linked to Iranian counterparties primarily involving Tether’s USDT on the Tron blockchain over an 18-month period were terminated.

The report also indicated that at least four senior compliance employees departed the company or were pushed out during the final three months of the review period.

The Wall Street Journal reported that executives dismantled the probe weeks after Binance founder Changpeng Zhao received a US presidential pardon in October. The timing raised questions about whether external political developments influenced internal compliance decisions at the exchange.

Meanwhile, the crypto exchange Binance denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the company did not violate sanctions laws and rejecting claims that staff faced punishment for raising compliance concerns. The exchange has not provided detailed explanations for the investigator dismissals beyond citing data handling protocol violations.

Separately, blockchain analytics firm Elliptic had noted in January that wallets connected to the Central Bank of Iran had accumulated over $500 million in USDT.