From Cointelegraph

April 22, 2025 2:00 am:

US District Judge Barbara Rothstein granted Binance’s motion to transfer a money laundering case to Florida due to similarities with a case already in progress there. Both cases involve allegations of allowing cybercriminals to use the platform for money laundering. Rothstein cited the first-to-file rule as the basis for the transfer. Source: Law360

The first-to-file rule allows courts to defer ruling on a case if a similar complaint has been filed elsewhere. Plaintiffs argue that the Washington case differs from the Florida suit by adding additional accusations and naming former CEO Changpeng Zhao as a defendant. They fear a transfer could delay resolution to their detriment.

Despite concerns from plaintiffs, Judge Rothstein believes transferring the case will promote efficiency and avoid duplicate litigation. She argues that having parallel class actions in separate districts would be inefficient. Three crypto investors filed a suit against Binance and CZ in Washington in August 2024, alleging their stolen crypto was sent to Binance for laundering.

In June 2023, Michael Osterer filed a lawsuit in Florida accusing Binance of aiding in the conversion of stolen crypto. The case was ordered to arbitration in July 2024. The SEC’s recent actions in the crypto space have left many questions unanswered.

Read more at Cointelegraph: US judge transfers Binance lawsuit to Florida, citing first-to-file rule