Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has been fined $4.3 billion in a plea deal approved by U.S. District Judge Richard Jones. The settlement, one of the largest corporate penalties in U.S. history, comes after Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, admitted to charges of money laundering and sanctions violations, including transactions with entities such as Hamas. As part of the agreement, the company's compliance will be monitored for five years by an independent firm, yet to be appointed. The charges involve violations of federal anti-money laundering and sanctions laws due to lapses in internal controls. Binance has accepted responsibility for its past actions, and the settlement also addresses the platform's support for the sale of child sexual abuse materials and its role as one of the largest recipients of ransomware proceeds.