Binance Staff Detained in UAE Over Third-Party Fund Flows

The specific transactions that drew police attention have not been disclosed. The investigation centers on third-party fund flows, a term that typically refers to money moving through an account on behalf of someone not directly named on the account. Such arrangements can raise red flags for banks and regulators if not properly documented.

Binance obtained a Dubai license in 2022 and added regulatory approvals in Abu Dhabi in December 2025. The company employs roughly 1,000 people in the UAE. In March 2025, state-linked Abu Dhabi investment vehicle MGX invested $2 billion in Binance.

The UAE inquiries follow Binance's $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities over anti-money laundering failures and sanctions violations, though the two cases are not directly comparable. No charges have been filed in the UAE.

The ADCB account had been live for less than two months before the inquiries began. Dirham on-ramps allow regional clients to move money in and out of crypto without using foreign currencies. The account's continued access will be a key test for Binance's regional operations.