Zhao “prioritized Binance’s growth, market share and profits over compliance with” U.S. banking regulations, according to unsealed filings. “Better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” he told his employees, the document said. That mindset pervaded Binance’s operations in what Zhao termed the U.S. “Grey zone.” He saw to it that Binance did not collect “know-your-customer” information on its users because he believed it would inhibit its growth and appeal.
