Full History Of Binance In Timeline From 2002

2002: Prevention of Money Laundering Act

On 28 December, Financial Intelligence Unit (India) recommended blocking the URLs of nine crypto entities, including Binance on the grounds of non compliance to the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

2005: Changpeng Zhao Founded Fusion Systems

In 2005, Changpeng Zhao, who would later found Binance, established Fusion Systems in Shanghai. This company focused on building high-frequency trading systems for stockbrokers, marking Zhao's early involvement in the financial technology sector.

2013: Zhao Joins Blockchain.info

In 2013, Changpeng Zhao joined Blockchain.info as the third member of the cryptocurrency wallet's team. This marked his deeper involvement in the cryptocurrency space.

2014: Zhao Joins OKCoin as CTO

In 2014, Changpeng Zhao was hired as the CTO of OKCoin by Yi He, a platform for spot trading between fiat and digital assets. He worked there for less than a year before co-founding Binance with Yi He several years later.

July 2017: Launch of Binance Coin (BNB)

In July 2017, Binance Coin (BNB), later known as Build'N'Build, was launched as a token on the BNB Smart Chain for users to pay fees on Binance's platform.

2017: Binance Founded and ICO Launched

In 2017, Binance was founded and raised approximately $15 million through an initial coin offering (ICO) to fund its launch. Following the ICO, the company moved its operations out of mainland China due to increased regulatory scrutiny on cryptocurrency trading.

2017: Binance Founded

In 2017, Changpeng Zhao founded Binance, initially based in China. The company later moved to Japan and then Malta, before settling without an official headquarters. Binance has since become the largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume.

2017: Binance ICO of BNB tokens

In June 2022, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched an enquiry into Binance to determine if the company's 2017 ICO of BNB tokens amounted to an illegal sale of a security.

January 2018: Binance Becomes Largest Cryptocurrency Exchange

In January 2018, Binance became the largest cryptocurrency exchange with a market capitalization of $1.3 billion. This marked a significant milestone in the company's growth and influence in the cryptocurrency market.

March 2018: Binance Announces Plans to Open Office in Malta

In March 2018, Binance announced its intentions to open an office in Malta, prompted by stricter regulations in Japan and China. This move signified the company's strategy to seek more favorable regulatory environments.

April 2018: Binance Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Bermuda

In April 2018, Binance signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Bermuda. This agreement suggested potential collaboration and expansion of Binance's operations in Bermuda.

June 2018: Binance Invests in Chiliz

In June 2018, Binance, along with three other firms, invested $65 million in Chiliz, a sports blockchain company. This investment signified Binance's interest in exploring blockchain applications within the sports industry.

July 2018: Binance Acquires Trust Wallet

In July 2018, Binance acquired Trust Wallet, a decentralized cryptocurrency wallet, for an undisclosed sum comprised of cash, Binance stock, and BNB tokens. This acquisition strengthened Binance's portfolio of services and its presence in the cryptocurrency wallet market.

August 2018: Binance Invests in Terra Stablecoin Project

In August 2018, Binance, along with three other large exchanges, invested $32 million to fund the stablecoin project Terra. This investment aimed to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions with reduced volatility through the use of stablecoins.

2018: Thailand Files Criminal Complaint Against Binance

On 2 July 2021, Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a criminal complaint against Binance "for commission of offence under the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Business B.E. 2561 (2018)".

January 2019: Binance Partners with Simplex

In January 2019, Binance announced a partnership with Israel-based payment processor Simplex to enable the purchase of some cryptocurrencies using debit and credit cards. This aimed to make cryptocurrency purchases more accessible to a wider audience.

May 2019: Binance Suffers Large-Scale Security Breach

On May 7, 2019, Binance revealed that it had been the victim of a "large scale security breach" where hackers stole 7,000 bitcoin worth around $40 million. The company halted all transactions for one week to investigate the incident and pledged to reimburse customers from an emergency fund.

June 2019: Binance Prohibits US Users

In June 2019, Binance announced that it would prohibit US passport holders and residents from using its platform and would establish a new entity, binance.us, to serve those customers. This decision reflected efforts to comply with US regulations.

September 2019: Binance Offers Perpetual Futures Contracts

In September 2019, Binance began offering perpetual futures contracts, allowing leverage as high as 125 times the value of the contracts. This expansion into futures trading catered to experienced traders seeking higher risk and potential reward.

November 2019: Binance Acquires WazirX

In November 2019, Binance announced its acquisition of Indian bitcoin exchange WazirX. However, the deal became disputed in August 2022 when Binance founder Zhao claimed the acquisition was never finalized.

2019: French Authorities Investigate Binance

From 2019 to 2024, French authorities opened a judicial investigation into Binance concerning potential involvement in money laundering, drug trafficking, and tax fraud within the European Union.

2019: Binance Launches Binance Jersey

In 2019, Binance announced the launch of Binance Jersey, a Jersey-based exchange offering fiat-to-cryptocurrency pairs, including the Euro and the British pound. This expansion aimed to provide more accessible trading options for users in Europe.

2019: Binance Banned in the United States

In 2019, Binance was banned in the United States on regulatory grounds.

February 2020: MFSA Statement on Binance

On February 21, 2020, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) issued a public statement clarifying that Binance "is not authorized by the MFSA to operate in the cryptocurrency sphere and is therefore not subject to regulatory oversight by the MFSA." The MFSA also indicated it was assessing Binance's activities in Malta.

July 2020: Binance Announces Partnership with Chinese State-Owned Enterprise

In July 2020, Binance announced a "strategic partnership" with a Chinese state-owned enterprise under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, joining a group aiming to facilitate the Belt and Road Initiative.

September 2020: BNB Moves to BNB Smart Chain

In September 2020, the Binance Coin (BNB) token was moved from the Ethereum network to the BNB Smart Chain.

October 2020: Forbes Leaks Documents Alleging Binance Deception of US Regulators

On October 28, 2020, Forbes staff released leaked documents alleging that Binance and its CEO, Changpeng Zhao, created an elaborate corporate structure to intentionally deceive United States regulators and secretly profit from cryptocurrency investors in the country. It also stated that potential customers would be taught how to evade geographic restrictions.

2020: Binance-Peg BUSD Undercollateralization

Between 2020 and 2021, Binance-Peg BUSD was often undercollateralized; on three separate occasions, the gap between reserves and supply surpassed $1 billion.

January 2021: UK Requires Cryptoasset Firms to Register

In January 2021, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) began requiring firms dealing with cryptoassets to register in order to comply with anti-money laundering rules.

April 2021: Binance Retains Title as Largest Cryptocurrency Exchange

As of April 2021, Binance had retained its title as the largest cryptocurrency exchange, despite increasing competition from platforms such as Coinbase. This highlighted Binance's sustained dominance in the market.

April 2021: Germany Warns Binance Over Stock Token Prospectus

In April 2021, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany warned that Binance risked fines for not releasing an investor prospectus for the stock tokens it issued.

May 2021: Binance Under Investigation by US DOJ and IRS

In May 2021, Bloomberg News reported that Binance was under investigation by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for money laundering and tax evasion.

June 2021: UK FCA Orders Binance to Stop Regulated Activity

In June 2021, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ordered Binance to stop all regulated activity in the United Kingdom.

June 2021: Japan Warns Binance for Operating Without Registration

On 25 June 2021, Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) warned Binance that it was not registered to do business in Japan.

July 2021: Italy Orders Binance to Be Blocked

In July 2021, Italy's Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB) ordered Binance to be blocked from operating in the country.

July 2021: Thailand Files Criminal Complaint Against Binance

On 2 July 2021, Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a criminal complaint against Binance "for commission of offence under the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Business B.E. 2561 (2018)".

August 2021: Dutch Central Bank Warns Binance

In August 2021, an official warning was issued to the company from the Dutch central bank.

2021: Binance-Peg BUSD Undercollateralization

Between 2020 and 2021, Binance-Peg BUSD was often undercollateralized; on three separate occasions, the gap between reserves and supply surpassed $1 billion.

2021: BNB Reaches Third Highest Market Capitalization

By 2021, BNB had achieved the third-highest market capitalization among cryptocurrencies.

2021: Binance Sponsors Africa Cup of Nations

In 2021, Binance sponsored the Africa Cup of Nations and initiated crypto education programs in various countries across the continent. These initiatives aimed to promote cryptocurrency awareness and adoption in Africa.

2021: Binance Shared Information with Rosfinmonitoring

In April 2021, Reuters reported that Binance shared information with Rosfinmonitoring about funds raised by late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's network. This event generated significant controversy and scrutiny.

February 2022: BNB Renamed Build'N'Build, Binance Smart Chain Renamed BNB Chain

In February 2022, Binance renamed the token from Binance Coin to Build'N'Build (BNB). At the same time, Binance Smart Chain was renamed to BNB Chain.

February 2022: Binance Takes Stake in Forbes

In February 2022, Binance took a $200 million stake in Forbes, though it's unclear if this investment was ever completed. This investment signaled Binance's interest in media and content creation.

March 2022: Binance Refuses to Ban Russian Users

In March 2022, amidst the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Zhao initially refused to ban users from Russia, citing "financial freedom". Binance later softened its stance but not its policy, and also donated $10 million for humanitarian needs in Ukraine.

March 2022: Binance Undertakes to Stop Opening New Accounts in Ontario

On 17 March 2022, Binance confirmed in an undertaking to the Ontario Securities Commission that it would stop opening new accounts and halting trading in existing accounts for users in Ontario.

April 2022: Dutch Central Bank Fines Binance €3.3m

In April 2022, the Dutch central bank (DNB) announced a €3.3 million fine for Binance for offering services within the Netherlands without being registered in the country. This followed an official warning in August 2021.

May 2022: Binance Registers Legal Entity in Italy

In May 2022, Binance announced the registration of its legal entity in Italy and its plans to open offices in the country. At the time, the company was seeking registration in more European countries, such as Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, and Austria, as well.

May 2022: Binance Gains Regulatory Approval in France

In May 2022, Binance obtained regulatory approval in France, enabling it to provide digital asset services within the country. France became the first European nation to grant Binance such approval.

May 2022: Forbes Halts Plans to Go Public

In May 2022, Forbes Global Media Holdings halted plans to go public via a merger with Magnum Opus Acquisition Ltd. Zhao commented that discussions were still ongoing despite the change in plans.

June 2022: SEC Launches Enquiry into Binance's BNB Token ICO

In June 2022, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched an enquiry into Binance to determine if the company's 2017 ICO of BNB tokens amounted to an illegal sale of a security.

June 2022: Binance Halts Bitcoin Withdrawals

On June 13, 2022, Binance announced that users would be unable to withdraw their funds held in bitcoin for an unspecified period of time, as the value of cryptocurrencies suffered serious declines. Withdrawals were allowed to resume later the same day.

July 2022: Binance Registered to Operate in Spain

In July 2022, Binance was registered to operate in Spain, expanding its presence in the European market and demonstrating its commitment to regulatory compliance in various jurisdictions.

August 2022: Dispute over WazirX Acquisition

In August 2022, Binance founder Zhao claimed that the deal to acquire Indian bitcoin exchange WazirX in November 2019 was never signed, leading to a dispute over the acquisition.

August 2022: India Freezes WazirX Assets Amidst Money Laundering Investigation

In August 2022, India's Enforcement Directorate froze the assets of WazirX, a crypto exchange owned by Binance, as part of a money laundering investigation.

October 6, 2022: Binance Coin Hacked

On October 6, 2022, Binance Coin was hacked, affecting around $568 Million in tokens. This event raised concerns about the security of the platform and its native cryptocurrency.

October 2022: BNB Validator Count

As of October 2022, BNB had 44 validators.

October 2022: Binance Invests in Twitter Acquisition

In October 2022, Binance invested US$500 million towards the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk. Following the investment, the company announced the creation of a team to explore how blockchain and cryptocurrencies could be integrated with Twitter.

November 2022: Binance Offers to Buy FTX, then Backs Out

On November 8, 2022, Binance offered to buy rival cryptocurrency exchange FTX's non-US operations (FTX.com) to help cover the latter's liquidity crunch. However, Binance backed out of the deal the next day, citing concerns about FTX's business practices and investigations by US financial regulators.

December 2022: Binance.US to Acquire Voyager Digital's Assets

In December 2022, Binance's American entity Binance.US announced that it would acquire Voyager Digital's assets in a $1.02 billion deal.

2022: BUSD Becomes Third Largest Stablecoin

In 2022, Binance USD (BUSD) became the third-largest stablecoin by market capitalization, trailing behind Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC).

2022: Reuters Releases Investigative Reports on Binance

Throughout 2022, Reuters published several investigative reports on Binance. These reports highlighted instances of withheld information from government investigators, ignored warnings regarding money laundering risks, and involvement in laundering billions of dollars from hacks and illicit activities. Binance disputed the accuracy of these reports.

January 2023: Arkham Intelligence identifies money laundering nexus via Binance

In January 2023, Arkham Intelligence identified a potential money laundering operation involving the Bitzlato exchange, with approximately $15 million in crypto being deposited onto Binance through intermediary wallets.

January 2023: Binance Registered to Operate in Sweden

In January 2023, Binance registered to operate in Sweden, furthering its expansion within the European cryptocurrency market.

January 2023: Bloomberg Reports Binance-Peg BUSD Undercollateralization

In January 2023, Bloomberg reported that Binance-Peg BUSD "was often undercollateralized between 2020 and 2021. On three separate occasions, the gap between reserves and supply surpassed $1 billion."

February 2023: Reuters reports Binance transferred funds to Merit Peak Ltd.

In February 2023, Reuters reported that Binance transferred over $404 million from a Binance.US account to Merit Peak Ltd. in early 2021, raising questions about the independence of Binance.US. Catherine Coley, then-CEO of Binance US, expressed surprise at these transfers before leaving her position.

February 2023: Zhao Criticizes Forbes for "Baseless Articles"

In February 2023, Zhao tweeted his disappointment that Forbes "continues to write baseless articles" about Binance, indicating ongoing tensions between the company and the media outlet.

February 2023: New York DFS Orders Paxos to Halt BUSD Minting

In February 2023, the New York Department of Financial Services ordered Paxos to stop minting new Binance USD (BUSD) tokens.

March 2023: Binance Bans Russian Residents from Buying Euros and Dollars

In March 2023, Binance banned Russian residents from buying euros and dollars through its p2p service. Simultaneously, European users lost the ability to buy rubles, affecting cross-border trading capabilities.

March 2023: Senators Warren, Van Hollen, and Marshall criticize Binance for illegal financial activity; CFTC files lawsuit.

In March 2023, US Senators Warren, Van Hollen, and Marshall sent a letter to Binance criticizing the exchange for facilitating over $10 billion in illegal payments. Later that month, the CFTC filed a lawsuit against Binance and Zhao, alleging violations of US law and derivatives rules, with internal communications pointing to transactions involving Hamas and suspected criminals.

April 2023: Binance.US Calls Off Voyager Digital Asset Acquisition

In April 2023, Binance.US called off the $1.02 billion deal to acquire Voyager Digital's assets, citing a "hostile and uncertain regulatory climate".

April 2023: Trading firms revealed as Binance VIP clients.

In April 2023, Radix Trading, Jane Street Capital, and Tower Research Capital were identified as VIP clients of Binance.

April 2023: Australian Securities Commission Cancels Binance Australia Derivatives License

In April 2023, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission cancelled the Australian financial services licence held by Oztures Trading Pty Ltd, which traded as Binance Australia Derivatives (Binance).

May 2023: Binance Australia Loses PayID Access and Westpac Bans Transactions

In May 2023, Binance Australia announced it had lost access to Australia's PayID payment system, citing a decision made by a third-party payment service provider. The same day, Westpac bank banned Australian customers from transacting with Binance.

May 2023: Binance Announces Withdrawal from Canadian Market

In May 2023, Binance announced it would withdraw from the Canadian market due to the introduction of stricter rules in the country.

May 2023: Thailand Issues Cryptocurrency Exchange License to Gulf Binance

In May 2023, Thailand's Ministry of Finance issued a cryptocurrency exchange license to Gulf Binance, the joint venture of Binance and Gulf Innova. The exchange was expected to launch later that year.

May 30, 2023: Ontario Securities Commission Investigates Binance

On May 30, 2023, it was reported that the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) had issued an investigation order into whether Binance may have taken steps to circumvent Ontario securities law and compliance controls prior to its withdrawal from the Canadian market.

June 2023: Binance Leaves the Netherlands After Failing to Obtain Regulatory Approval

In June 2023, Binance announced that it was leaving the Netherlands after failing to obtain regulatory approval.

June 2023: Binance Experiences Outflows After SEC Lawsuit

In June 2023, Binance experienced 790 million US dollars in outflows after the SEC announced its lawsuit. Despite this, Forbes reported that the company still had 120 million users globally.

June 2023: Nigeria Deems Binance's Activities Illegal

In June 2023, Nigeria's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) deemed Binance's activities in the country as "illegal". The regulator instructed Binance to cease all its activities within Nigeria.

June 2023: Binance Under Preliminary Investigation for Illegal Canvassing and Money Laundering

In June 2023, the Paris prosecutor's office announced that Binance was under preliminary investigation for illegal canvassing of clients and money-laundering.

June 2023: SEC sues Binance and Zhao for alleged violations of US securities rules.

In June 2023, the SEC initiated a lawsuit against Binance and Zhao, citing 13 charges for alleged violations of US securities rules.

June 2023: UK FCA Cancels Binance Markets Limited's Permissions

In June 2023, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) canceled unused permissions granted to Binance Markets Limited, meaning the company "can no longer provide regulated activities and products" in the UK.

June 23, 2023: Belgium Orders Binance to Cease Virtual Currency Services

On June 23, 2023, Belgium's Financial Services and Markets Authority ordered Binance to cease offering virtual currency services in the country with immediate effect. The regulator cited Binance was offering such services from countries outside the European Economic Area.

July 2023: Senior Executives Resign from Binance; Workforce Reductions

In July 2023, several senior executives resigned from Binance. The Wall Street Journal reported that Binance had cut its global workforce by as many as 1,000 staff. While Zhao didn't deny layoffs, he claimed the reported numbers and reasons for the senior executive departures were inaccurate.

September 1, 2023: Binance Announces Discontinuation of BUSD Support

On September 1, 2023, Binance announced it would discontinue support for Binance USD (BUSD).

September 2023: Binance Announces Exit from Russia

In September 2023, Binance announced its departure from the Russian market and the sale of its business to the CommEX platform, which had been launched the previous week. This decision marked a significant shift in Binance's global strategy.

September 2023: Binance.US CEO Brian Shroder resigns, workforce reduced.

In September 2023, Binance.US announced the resignation of CEO Brian Shroder and a reduction of its workforce by about one-third, citing the SEC's lawsuit as a cause.

October 2023: Binance and Tether accused of terrorist funding.

In October 2023, coinciding with the outbreak of the Gaza war, Binance and Tether were accused of being sources of terrorist funding, leading to calls for DOJ action.

November 2023: Binance pleads guilty and pays $4.3 billion fine; Zhao steps down as CEO.

In November 2023, Binance pleaded guilty and paid a $4.3 billion fine for violating the US Bank Secrecy Act, failure to register as a money transmitting business, and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Zhao agreed to pay a $50 million fine and step down as CEO.

November 2023: Binance Pleads Guilty to Violating U.S. Anti-Money Laundering Rules

In November 2023, Binance pled guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering rules and paid a $4.3 billion fine. This marked a significant development in regulatory challenges faced by the company.

November 2023: Binance Convicted on Multiple Charges; Zhao Steps Down as CEO

On November 21, 2023, a US judge convicted Binance on multiple charges, including violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, money laundering schemes, unlicensed money transmitting, and sanctions violations. Binance agreed to pay $4 billion in fines, and Changpeng Zhao stepped down as CEO with a $50 million fine. Richard Teng succeeded Zhao as CEO.

2023: Internal Investigation Reveals Market Manipulation by DWF Labs

According to The Wall Street Journal in 2023, an internal investigation within Binance found that DWF Labs had previously advertised its ability to manipulate the market and had engaged in activities consistent with pump and dump schemes. Binance retained DWF Labs as a client.

2023: Forbes Leaks "TaiChi" Document

Later in 2023, Forbes leaked a document allegedly from Binance titled "TaiChi" that proposed a regulatory solution to reduce US regulatory risk. Binance denied the document and sued Forbes for defamation before dropping the lawsuit.

January 2024: Binance sued by victims of Hamas attack.

In January 2024, Binance was sued in Manhattan federal court by US victims of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel for allegedly facilitating Hamas's terrorist activities.

January 2024: Binance App Removed From App Stores in India

On 12 January 2024, The Binance application was removed from istore and Google Play Store to prevent Indian Crypto investors from using them.

February 2024: Binance Executives Detained in Nigeria

On 28 February 2024, two Binance executives, Nadeem Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, were detained by Nigeria's government on allegations of illegal operations and forex manipulation.

March 2024: Binance Executives Escape Custody and Nigeria Files Tax Evasion Charges

In March 2024, Binance's Naira services were disabled. Nadeem Anjarwalla escaped custody and the Nigerian government filed a criminal charge against Binance for tax evasion.

March 2024: Philippines SEC to Block Binance's Website

On Monday, 25 March 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines announced that it would block Binance's website due to the company operating without the necessary licensing for its investment and trading platform.

March 2024: Binance Accounts of Russian Users Transferred to CommEX

Until March 2024, Binance accounts of Russian users were able to transfer to the new CommEX platform, facilitating a transition period for Russian users as Binance exited the market.

April 2024: Zhao sentenced to four months in prison.

In April 2024, Zhao was sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to violating US money laundering laws.

May 2024: FINTRAC Imposes Fine on Binance for Violating Money Laundering Laws

In May 2024, FINTRAC announced that it had imposed a $4.32 million fine on Binance for violating Canadian money laundering and terrorist financing laws.

May 2024: CommEX Shuts Down

On May 10, 2024, CommEX, the platform to which Binance sold its Russian business, shut down operations, raising questions about the long-term viability of alternative platforms in the Russian cryptocurrency market.

June 2024: Binance Fined $2.25 Million by Indian FIU

In June 2024, Binance was fined US$2.25 million by the Financial Intelligence Unit (India) for operating in India in violation of local anti-money laundering regulations.

September 2024: Zhao released from prison.

In September 2024, Zhao was released from prison.

October 2024: Gambaryan Released After Charges Dropped

In October 2024, Gambaryan was released after the Nigerian government dropped charges against him.

2024: Binance Fires Internal Investigators

According to a 2024 report in The Wall Street Journal covering 2023 events, Binance fired several members of its internal investigation team. The team was tasked with investigating market manipulation such as pump and dump schemes and wash trading. Binance denied any wrongdoing.

2024: Binance Used in Pig Butchering Scams

According to a 2024 study by John Griffin, a finance professor at the University of Texas at Austin, Binance is the most popular exchange used in pig butchering scams. Binance has occasionally cooperated with US law enforcement to return money lost in such scams.

2024: French Authorities Investigate Binance

From 2019 to 2024, French authorities opened a judicial investigation into Binance concerning potential involvement in money laundering, drug trafficking, and tax fraud within the European Union.

January 2025: French Authorities Open Judicial Investigation into Binance

In January 2025, French authorities initiated a judicial investigation into Binance concerning potential involvement in money laundering, drug trafficking, and tax fraud within the European Union spanning from 2019 to 2024.

March 12, 2025: MGX Fund Management Limited Invests in Binance

On March 12, 2025, the Abu Dhabi government-backed investment fund MGX Fund Management Limited made a minority $2 billion investment in Binance.

March 2025: Talks of Trump Family Acquiring Stake in Binance.US

In March 2025, it was reported that Donald Trump's family, through World Liberty Financial, had entered talks with Binance to acquire a stake in Binance.US. This coincided with Zhao seeking a presidential pardon.

March 2025: Talks with the Trump Family

In March 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported that Binance was in talks with the family of Donald Trump regarding potential business dealings. This information raised questions about the company's relationships and strategic interests.

August 2025: Binance Administers Trading Platform for Trump Family's World Liberty Financial

In August 2025, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Binance was quietly administering a trading platform for the Trump family's World Liberty Financial. The company also paid lobbyists $800,000 to lobby for a pardon from Trump for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.

October 2025: President Trump Pardons Zhao

In October 2025, President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.

October 23, 2025: Trump Pardons Zhao

On October 23, 2025, Donald Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, with the White House claiming Zhao was a victim of persecution by the Joe Biden administration.

November 2025: Lawsuit filed against Binance by American victims of Hamas attack.

In November 2025, 306 American victims of Hamas's attack on Israel filed a suit against Binance in a federal court in North Dakota alleging that Binance and its founder helped Hamas finance the attack.

November 2025: Lawsuit Filed Against Binance by Victims of October 7 Attacks

In November 2025, families of victims of the October 7 attacks filed a lawsuit against Binance, alleging the company facilitated fund transfers for Hamas and Hezbollah.

December 3, 2025: Yi He Appointed as Co-CEO

On December 3, 2025, Yi He was appointed as co-CEO of Binance.

December 2025: Abu Dhabi's Financial Regulator Allows Binance to Operate

In December 2025, Abu Dhabi's financial regulator permitted Binance to operate from Abu Dhabi, marking a significant regulatory approval for the company in the region.

March 2026: Binance Under Investigation for Sanctions Evasion

In March 2026, it was reported that Binance was under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly evading sanctions on Iran-backed designated foreign terrorist organizations like the Houthis.