Binance.US Seeks Banking Partnerships and Charter Options After SEC Case Dismissal
Binance.US — the U.S. arm of global exchange Binance — is exploring deeper banking relationships and the possibility of obtaining a financial charter after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped its 2023 lawsuit against the platform. Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, Binance’s co-founder and largest shareholder (no longer involved in daily operations), told Bloomberg that a friendlier regulatory environment could enable enhanced banking ties or charter applications, though any move depends on legal and management decisions. The SEC had sued Binance and CZ in June 2023 on 13 counts, including operating an unregistered exchange and offering unregistered securities; regulators dismissed the case with prejudice in May following policy shifts under the second Trump administration and a mutual agreement. The 2023 lawsuit previously forced Binance.US to suspend dollar deposits and withdrawals for about 18 months, sharply reducing trading volume and market share. Separately, Binance paid $4.3 billion in penalties in late 2023 related to anti-money-laundering violations; CZ pleaded guilty, served a four-month sentence, was released in September 2024 and later received a presidential pardon in October 2025. CZ denies business ties to the Trump family and says he does not intend to return as CEO. Key keywords: Binance.US, banking partnerships, financial charter, SEC dismissal, CZ, regulatory shift.
Bullish
The news is broadly bullish for U.S. crypto markets and Binance.US specifically. Removal of the SEC lawsuit removes a major legal overhang that had forced Binance.US to halt dollar rails and lose market share; the platform can now pursue banking partnerships and a financial charter that would restore fiat on-ramps and product offerings—critical drivers of volume and liquidity. Historical parallels: when regulatory uncertainty eased for major platforms (for example, clear court or policy outcomes that reopened fiat services), trading volumes and market confidence recovered, often supporting price appreciation for major exchange-listed tokens and spot markets. Short-term impact: cautious optimism — some fee and volume recovery as dollar rails resume will take time while banks and charter processes proceed, so volatility may persist around operational updates. Long-term impact: positive — improved banking access and a charter would deepen liquidity, reduce counterparty risk for U.S. customers, and raise institutional participation. Risks remain: regulatory reversals, execution delays, or reputational fallout could temper gains. Traders should watch announcements on banking deals, charter filings/approvals, and actual restoration of USD deposits/withdrawals as catalysts for increased volume and bullish price action.