Binance's key execs said to leave embattled crypto exchange

A number of senior executives of Binance have left the cryptocurrency exchange in response to CEO Changpeng Zhao's handling of an ongoing probe by the Justice Department, according to Forbes report earlier this week that cited a person familiar with the situation. Among those that have resigned include Binance General Counsel Han Ng, Chief Strategy Officer Patrick Hillmann, and Senior Vice President for Compliance Steven Christie, the person said . The DOJ investigation was said to pertain to Binance's attempts to trick U.S. regulators , as well as allegedly laundering money and violating sanctions. The company is already under heightened scrutiny from a number of regulators across the globe. Recall last month when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued Binance and CZ, as he is known, for allegedly committing 13 counts of securities law breaches. That's in addition to the Commodity and Futures Trade Commission's suit that accused the exchange of violating certain trading and derivatives rules. Hillman, nonetheless, said he left Binance "on good terms. "I’ve been here for two years and it’s simply time for me to move on to the next challenge," he wrote in a Twitter post dated Thursday. "I’ve taken this company through a lifetime of industry crises and regulatory challenges — from Luna to 3AC to FTX. Despite all of these challenges, the company has continued to grow and thrive," he added. Earlier, CZ took to Twitter to dismiss the exodus of executives, saying the departures are part of Binance's usual turnover of staff. "More FUD about some departures. Yes, there is turnover (at every company). But the reasons dreamed up by the “news” are completely wrong," he wrote . More on Binance: Binance offices in Australia searched by financial markets regulator - report Paysafe to stop supporting Binance in September Binance ordered by markets regulator to cease crypto services in Belgium Binance hires ex-DOJ prosecutor in wake of SEC suit