Binance US, the American arm of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, is reportedly exploring ways to reduce the majority stake of its founder, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), in an effort to improve the company’s image in the eyes of US regulators. According to a report by The Information, Zhao has been trying to sell at least some of his stake since last summer.
The move comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of Binance’s operations in the US and other countries. US authorities have been investigating whether Binance violated securities laws by allowing Americans to trade on its platform, which is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, several other countries, including the UK, Japan, and Canada, have issued warnings or taken action against Binance.
Zhao’s reduction of his stake in Binance US could be seen as a proactive step to address some of these regulatory concerns. By reducing his stake, Zhao could potentially distance himself from any potential legal issues that may arise from Binance’s operations.
Binance US has been making efforts to establish itself as a compliant cryptocurrency exchange in the US. In 2022, the company raised over $200 million in seed funding rounds at a pre-money valuation of $4.5 billion. Investors include RRE Ventures, Foundation Capital, Origin Capital, Vaneck, and Circle Ventures, among others.
However, the regulatory environment for cryptocurrency exchanges in the US remains challenging. The SEC has been cracking down on unregistered cryptocurrency offerings and has taken several high-profile enforcement actions in recent months. In addition, several bills have been proposed in Congress that could impose stricter regulations on the cryptocurrency industry.
Despite these challenges, Binance US remains one of the largest and most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in the US, with a reported daily trading volume of over $1 billion. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Binance US and other cryptocurrency exchanges will adapt to the changing environment.
Read more:
- Bitcoin Trading On Binance US Hovers Around $28,400, $700 Higher Than Other Platforms
- Former Senior SEC Official Warns: “Get Out Of Binance Right Now”