A US judge has approved Binance's request to transfer a lawsuit involving claims of facilitating money laundering from Washington to the Southern District of Florida, due to a similar ongoing case in Florida. The case, initiated in August 2024 in Washington, alleges Binance allowed cybercriminals to use its platform. US District Judge Barbara Rothstein highlighted that both lawsuits encompass similar plaintiff classes impacted by cryptocurrency thefts. Although the Washington complaint includes additional claims and named the former CEO as a defendant, Judge Rothstein determined that transferring the case would enhance efficiency and prevent duplicative litigation. The first-to-file rule permits courts to defer rulings if an earlier case with the same parties and issues exists in another jurisdiction. Lawyers for the Washington plaintiffs argued the differences in accusations could cause delays, but the judge maintained that the transfer would not hinder case resolutions. The Florida lawsuit, filed in June 2023, claims Binance played a role in converting stolen crypto and is currently undergoing arbitration.

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