Binance Considers New Strategy for US Market Amid CZ Stake Reduction Reports

Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange globally by trading volume, is contemplating a strategic shift to enhance its foothold in the US market. This strategy may involve a reduction in co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao’s majority stake in the company. The move follows speculation fueled by recent political developments and potential partnerships with US firms.

Key Takeaways

Binance is considering a strategic maneuver to boost its operations in the US, which may reduce CZ Zhao's controlling stake.
The company has encountered regulatory hurdles in the US but is exploring partnerships with local firms.
Zhao's recent pardon by former President Trump has reignited discussions about Binance's return to the US market.
Several US lawmakers have expressed opposition to Zhao's pardon and the broader crypto industry.

Binance, recognized as the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is exploring ways to enhance its presence in the US market. This potential strategic shift could lead to a decrease in the majority stake held by co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. According to Bloomberg, sources familiar with the situation reveal that Zhao's controlling interest has presented challenges for the company’s expansion into key US states. Although there are no formal plans in place, discussions around this possible strategy remain ongoing.

In an effort to solidify its standing in the US, Binance is looking at potential partnerships with American companies. These include asset management giant BlackRock and World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance platform associated with former President Donald Trump.

Rumors about Binance's return to the US gained momentum in October after Trump pardoned Zhao, which sparked speculation among crypto industry leaders. Zhao mentioned on social media, “Will do everything we can to help make America the capital of crypto and advance Web3 worldwide” following the pardon.

Changpeng Zhao, United States, Binance _Source:_CZ

In June 2019, Binance announced it would cease operations for US customers, leading to the establishment of a separate company, Binance.US, managed by BAM Trading Services. This entity was created to comply with US regulations and continue serving local users. However, in 2023, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleged that Binance Holdings Ltd. operated both Binance.com and BAM Trading Services.

Binance.US does not offer crypto derivatives and lacks access to the liquidity of the global Binance exchange, functioning as a standalone platform for cryptocurrency transactions. At the time of publication, Cointelegraph had reached out to both Binance and Binance.US for comments but did not receive any responses.

According to Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, the US is a vital market for cryptocurrency exchanges, holding the second rank in global crypto adoption. Successfully expanding into the US could provide significant liquidity opportunities for Binance.

Changpeng Zhao, United States, Binance _Binance claims the top spot among centralized crypto exchanges in terms of trading volume. Source:_CoinGecko

Binance Considers New Strategy for US Market Amid CZ Stake Reduction Reports

Opposition from Lawmakers Regarding CZ's Pardon

The pardon that Trump granted to Zhao in October has received criticism from various Democratic lawmakers in the US, notably Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and California Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Waters described the pardon as a type of pay-to-play and suggested that Trump was offering political favors to the crypto sector that benefited him financially.

Warren, a fierce critic of the crypto industry, also denounced the pardon, labeling it as “corruption.” These responses highlight some resistance among certain Democratic lawmakers towards the continued growth of the cryptocurrency sector in the US, which could indicate challenges for Binance's potential return to the market.

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