Semafor reports today that U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) officials are deliberating potential fraud charges against the cryptocurrency exchange giant, Binance, but have concerns over protecting American investors already participating in crypto markets, citing sources familiar with the matter.

According to the reports, officials are concerned that an indictment of Binance might trigger a bank run akin to the fate that befell the now insolvent platform, FTX, creating panic throughout the broader cryptocurrency markets.

Alternatively, prosecutors are contemplating levying fines or considering deferred or non-prosecution agreements. This approach could hold Binance responsible for its alleged criminal activities while mitigating consumer damage.

Binance and its founder Changpeng Zhaoare already embroiled in charges levied by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The SEC alleges that Zhao and his firm knowingly operated an unregistered exchange in the U.S., thus permitting American citizens to engage with Binance’s offshore exchange.

Legal experts suggest that the severity of these charges parallels a criminal indictment, raising the possibility of subsequent criminal charges. The SEC’s general protocol is to collaborate with the DOJ in high-profile cases to bring civil and criminal charges concurrently.

Laying down the law

This potential indictment is part of a larger, complex debate surrounding the rapidly evolving landscape of crypto enforcement and regulation in the U.S. Crypto firms operate within a legal gray area, and consumers have few protections compared to traditional banking systems.

As regulators grapple with the potential indictment of Binance, the underlying issue remains. The U.S. created an uncertain and unstable regulatory environment for crypto businesses. It’s essential for lawmakers to step up and establish clear regulations for the crypto industry, thus providing consumers with safer alternatives to offshore exchanges like Binance and FTX.