TLDR:
- Binance founder CZ firmly denied rumors of the exchange being up for sale, attributing speculation to competitor misinformation
- While rejecting a full sale, CZ indicated openness to future minority stake investments in “single-digit percentage range”
- Asset movements that sparked sale rumors were explained as treasury accounting adjustments
- Co-founder Yi He suggested Binance is more interested in acquiring competitors than being acquired
- The exchange continues to face regulatory challenges, including a French investigation and ongoing SEC case
Former Binance CEO Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao has firmly rejected rumors that the cryptocurrency exchange is seeking a buyer.
In a social media post on February 17, 2025, CZ addressed growing speculation about a potential sale, attributing these claims to misinformation spread by a competitor in Asia.
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
The rumors gained traction last week when users observed substantial reductions in Binance’s cryptocurrency holdings. These movements led to questions about the exchange’s financial stability and sparked discussions about a possible sale of the platform.
今天同行圈，讨论度最高的，应该就是币安，在大量减持平台自家持有的 BTC、ETH 资产。需要注意的是：这些资产主要是平台过去自己的营收，而非用户资金。
目前看，多数币种已经转配置成稳定币 USDC，其中 BNB 减持的比例最低，仅 -16.6%，如果按 1 月份的行情来看，多数币是历史高点。 pic.twitter.com/1N4E5gBf3f
— AB Kuai.Dong (@_FORAB) February 11, 2025
Binance quickly moved to clarify that these asset movements were simply part of adjustments in the company’s treasury accounting process. The exchange emphasized that all user assets remain fully backed on a 1:1 basis, attempting to quell concerns about its financial health.
While CZ dismissed the possibility of a complete sale, he revealed that Binance might consider allowing external investors to acquire minority stakes in the future.
“Top investors have always been interested in Binance. Over time, we may allow some investments in the single-digit percentage range,” CZ stated in his social media post.
Binance co-founder Yi He supported CZ’s position, confirming that while the exchange regularly receives investor interest, there are no current plans to dilute its shareholding. He went further to suggest that Binance might be more interested in acquiring competitors than being acquired.
The speculation intensified following a viral Chinese social media post claiming Binance was planning a potential sale due to regulatory challenges and a shift toward decentralized exchanges (DEXs). However, the post did not identify any potential buyers.
Binance maintains its position as the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, processing billions of dollars in transactions daily. The platform continues to operate under increased scrutiny from various regulatory bodies worldwide.
Regulatory Issues
In France, authorities have launched an investigation into the exchange over allegations of money laundering and tax fraud. The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office is examining Binance’s activities between 2019 and 2024, specifically looking into potential connections to drug trafficking-related money laundering. Binance has denied these allegations.
The exchange’s regulatory landscape in the United States shows signs of potential progress. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Binance recently filed a joint motion to pause their legal case for 60 days, which was approved by the court.
This development follows CZ’s completion of a four-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to violating US Anti-Money Laundering laws. Following his departure, Richard Teng assumed the role of CEO, with a stated focus on regulatory compliance.
The ownership structure of Binance has historically remained private, with CZ maintaining a substantial stake in the company. The possibility of accepting outside investment could represent a strategic shift in how the exchange approaches its corporate structure.
Throughout its history, Binance has received consistent interest from potential investors. The exchange’s consideration of minority stake sales might indicate a strategy to strengthen its financial position while maintaining operational control.
These recent events occur against the backdrop of increasing competition in the centralized exchange (CEX) marketplace. Despite challenges, Binance continues to hold its market-leading position.
The company’s treasury movements, which initially sparked the sale rumors, have been fully explained as internal accounting adjustments rather than preparations for a sale or signs of financial instability.
Yi He’s comments about mergers and acquisitions suggest that Binance might be positioning itself as an active participant in market consolidation, but as a buyer rather than a seller.
