Is Binance For Sale? Amid widespread speculation that the world’s largest CEX is for sale, Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) says No.
Binance is the world’s largest crypto exchange, far surpassing Coinbase, Bitget, and even one of the oldest, Bitstamp, as trading volume, among other metrics, shows. Last year alone, they onboarded over 50 million users in six months, pushing their total client base to over 250 million.
As crypto prices roared, so did the exchange’s revenue. In its report, the exchange said it received inflows exceeding $30 billion in 2024.
Binance CEO CZ Says Binance Is Not For Sale
Looking at the numbers, it was obvious that any report of Binance being acquired or selling equity would make news.
Yesterday, on February 17, rumors began spreading that Binance was up for sale to an unnamed DEX—not a venture capital firm or a billionaire—due to “operational malfunction.”
These unsubstantiated claims were immediately quashed by Yi He, Binance’s co-founder, and Changpeng Zhao, the exchange’s co-founder, who controls 90% of the platform.
He refuted the rumors spreading on X. He acknowledged that Binance often engages in discussions with institutional investors, but they had no plans to sell the company.
所以友商的危机公关策略就是批量买稿造币安的谣转移注意力？👎
自比特币价格突破新高，交易平台作为生态验证成立的商业模型，按照投资的头部原则，每个月都会有机构来问币安是否接受投资和合作，我们不排除引入战略合作伙伴，也开放并购，如果有其他交易平台有出售计划欢迎联系。— Yi He (@heyibinance) February 17, 2025
The co-founder added that their business model has been validated as viable after crypto prices began soaring, with Bitcoin, Solana, and multiple other altcoins breaking all-time highs.
Accordingly, He revealed that investors continue to ask if Binance accepts investment and cooperation. While they continue to seek strategic partnerships, they are not actively seeking a buyer. However, if exchanges are selling, Binance can acquire them.
Echoing Yi’s comments, the former CEO, Zhao, said the rumors were spreading by “small-scale competitors in Asia.”
Though not actively involved in Binance after the settlement deal with United States authorities in late 2023, Zhao went on to reinforce his colleague’s position, saying the exchange was not for sale.
4. Some lowly self-perceived competitor in Asia fudding about Binance (CEX) for sale.😂
As a shareholder, Binance is not for sale.
Top investors have always been interested in Binance. Over time, we may allow some investments in the single-digit percentage range.🤷♂️
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) February 17, 2025
Still, it has not been confirmed what motivated the rumor or whether Zhao might be willing to sell some equity. Zhao is the majority holder.
In a past interview after being released from prison, he said the company may allow some investments of up to 9%. A full sale, he clarified, was not on the table.
Binance is Overcoming its Legal Challenges
Binance successfully managed to navigate through an eye of a storm in 2022 after the collapse of FTX. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued, claiming the exchange was actively manipulating prices and alleging it was misleading investors about its trade monitoring systems.
Forced to close shops in the United States and pay $4.3 billion as a settlement with the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) for, among others, violating the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).
Zhao, who pleaded guilty to not implementing an effective anti-money laundering (AML) program as stipulated under the BSA, was also forced to step down as CEO and was sent to prison for four months.
Binance Is Not For Sale
- Rumors spread that Binance was being sold to a DEX
- Co-founders refute rumors, saying they are willing to buy other exchanges
- Binance now has over 250 million users
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