Binance, the prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has appointed Kristen Hecht as its Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) and Global Money Laundering Reporting Officer (GMLRO). Hecht, with 17 years of experience in financial crime compliance, previously served as the Global Head of Corporate Compliance before assuming her new roles in January 2023. She has held key positions at organizations like Novi Financial, HSBC China, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Focused on Fighting Financial Crime

In her previous roles, Hecht actively supported the U.S. government’s efforts in combating terrorism and illicit financial activities. At HSBC China, she successfully drove cultural changes to establish an effective and sustainable compliance program. Now, as Deputy CCO at Binance, Hecht will collaborate with CCO Noah Perlman to strengthen the exchange’s compliance program.

Enhancing Money Laundering Detection

As the GMLRO, Hecht will be responsible for overseeing money laundering teams and ensuring effective identification and mitigation of financial crime. She plans to engage proactively with regulators, intergovernmental organizations, and industry bodies to develop robust compliance programs. Her long-term vision involves building partnerships with regulators, industry bodies, and business partners to mitigate financial crime risks.

Regulatory Challenges for Binance

Binance has faced regulatory scrutiny in various jurisdictions, including the United States, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. In the U.S., the SEC filed 13 charges against the exchange and its CEO, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. Additionally, the CFTC initiated a lawsuit alleging the offering of unregistered derivatives products. In Europe, French regulators are investigating Binance for “aggravated money laundering.” The exchange withdrew its crypto license application in Germany and ceased operations in the Netherlands due to a failure to obtain a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license.

Hecht’s Role in Ensuring Compliance

With Hecht’s extensive experience in financial crime compliance, Binance aims to bolster its compliance measures and collaborate effectively with regulators worldwide. Her appointment comes at a crucial time for the exchange as it navigates regulatory challenges and works towards enhancing its global compliance framework.