The SEC has definitively dropped its lawsuits against Binance and Binance.US, ending a legal battle initiated in 2023 for unauthorized brokerage activities.
La SEC abandonne les poursuites contre Binance
It’s the end of a historic standoff. Nearly two years after suing Binance, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially withdrew its complaint against the crypto platform this Thursday. An unexpected decision, without detailed justification, but revealing the political shift taking place in the US since Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Clap de fin sous influence présidentielle
Filed in June 2023, the complaint accused Binance, Binance.US, and its founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) of operating unlawfully as an unregistered broker and exchange. The case was deemed admissible by Judge Amy Berman Jackson, and the proceedings were set to continue. But everything changed in early 2025: Trump regains power, the SEC puts the case on hold, then announces the intention to dismiss the case “with prejudice,” meaning it can never be reopened.
The agency, in a joint statement with Binance, states that the decision is a strategic choice “in the exercise of its discretion” and clarifies that it doesn’t necessarily reflect its stance on other ongoing cases. In fact, the SEC has withdrawn over a dozen other lawsuits since January, signaling a significant regulatory retreat in the crypto sector.
Une victoire totale pour Binance.US
For Binance.US, this is a major relief. In a statement, the company expressed being “delighted that the SEC has completely dropped its accusations,” asserting never breaching US securities laws. “This turning point is crucial: it allows us to focus 100% on our growth and rebuilding trust,” the platform indicates.
Even Binance and its affiliates are prohibited from pursuing the SEC regarding this matter. The deal is comprehensive: no going back for both parties.
Nouveau leadership, nouvelle doctrine
The SEC’s reversal is part of an overtly political dynamic. Trump installed Mark Uyeda as interim head of the agency, and appointed Paul Atkins as the official president, known for his pro-business stance. Simultaneously, bills are circulating in Congress to reallocate roles between the SEC and CFTC in regulating crypto assets.
On the same day, Commissioner Hester Peirce warned from the Bitcoin 2025 conference: “Don’t rely on the government to save you if you invest in speculative assets.” The tone is set. And meanwhile, Binance has just announced the listing of the USD1 stablecoin… backed by Trump’s own crypto project.
