UAE Detains Binance Staff in Financial Crime Probe

Binance employees have been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of an investigation into possible financial crimes involving the cryptocurrency exchange. According to reports, two Binance staff members were stopped at airports in Sharjah and Dubai in recent weeks.

The authorities sought statements from the employees regarding third-party fund flows, but no charges have been filed against them or the company. A spokesperson for Binance stated that investigators focused on external transactions rather than the employees themselves.

Binance has expanded its presence in the UAE over the past four years, with a significant number of employees based there. The exchange gained its first Dubai operating permission in 2022 and moved under a full Abu Dhabi Global Market licence in January 2026.

The latest scrutiny follows several regulatory actions against Binance across multiple countries, including a $4.3 billion settlement with US authorities in 2023. Founder Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain proper oversight and served four months in prison.