For those who think @Binance haven’t done much for the crypto space, here’s a list of top achievements from 2017 till 2026.
2017: Founding and meteoric rise
Binance was founded by @cz_binance Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and Yi He @heyibinance. It raised about $15 million in a BNB ICO and launched the exchange in July with a small set of tokens. Within roughly five months it became the world’s largest exchange by volume (December 2017). After China’s September ban on ICOs and exchanges, Binance used a large portion of its treasury (~$6 million) to make users whole on other projects that fell below ICO prices an early “protect users” moment that helped it grow to profitability and attract global users. BNB launched as an ERC-20 token. https://t.co/0g1JfBN8P2
2018: Scale, security fund, and ecosystem foundations
Binance solidified #1 status with millions of users and high daily volumes. It acquired Trust Wallet, created the SAFU (Secure Asset Fund for Users) insurance fund, launched Binance Labs and Binance Academy, and began developing its own blockchain (Binance Chain). It added languages, listed more assets, and expanded internationally while remaining profitable through the bear market. https://t.co/0g1JfBN8P2
2019: Own blockchain, derivatives, and resilience
Binance Chain and its DEX launched in April; BNB migrated to the new chain. Launchpad IEOs began (BitTorrent was an early standout). It introduced futures (high leverage), margin trading, P2P, and BUSD (with Paxos) in September. The May 2019 hack stole ~7,000 BTC (~$40 million at the time); Binance covered it fully from SAFU and coined the “Funds are SAFU” phrase. It launched https://t.co/5IQ5xHuOKN for American users and made several investments/acquisitions. User base and product suite expanded significantly. https://t.co/0g1JfBN8P2
2020: Binance Smart Chain and DeFi infrastructure
Binance Smart Chain (BSC, later BNB Chain) mainnet launched on September 1, adding EVM-compatible smart contracts and staking setting up the later DeFi boom. Launchpool launched. Acquisitions included CoinMarketCap and Swipe. Futures, fiat ramps, and P2P grew rapidly; the platform reported strong volume and user increases amid COVID-driven remote work and crypto adoption. https://t.co/0g1JfBN8P2
2021: Bull-market peak and new verticals
BSC powered a major DeFi and GameFi wave; BNB hit an all-time high around $690. Binance NFT marketplace launched in June. Record trading volumes, more listings, cards/payments, Earn products, and institutional tools followed. The platform became a central liquidity and on-chain hub during the cycle. https://t.co/tAoOCJgHYp
2022: Crisis navigation and transparency push
Binance offered (then withdrew) support during the FTX collapse. It handled a BNB Chain bridge exploit, rebranded to BNB Chain (“Build N Build”), and introduced Proof of Reserves post-FTX. Binance Pay scaled, and it invested in Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition. Products and user protections expanded amid a harsh market. https://t.co/0g1JfBN8P2
2023: Landmark settlement and leadership change
Binance reached a $4.3 billion U.S. settlement (DOJ, FinCEN, OFAC) over AML and sanctions issues—the largest of its kind at the time. CZ stepped down as CEO (Richard Teng took over); BUSD support was wound down. The company continued operating at scale while shifting toward stricter compliance. https://t.co/Is7Gr3vAcH
2024: User explosion and regulatory rebuilding
Registered users reached ~250 million (200 million by mid-year). Cumulative trading volume hit $100 trillion. It secured licenses/registrations in ~20 jurisdictions, including a VARA license in Dubai. New products included Spot Copy Trading and BFUSD. Assets under custody exceeded $160 billion; compliance and security spending rose sharply. CZ completed his prison sentence. https://t.co/0g1JfBN8P2
Now, I have to offer to meet everyone... 🤣
While that's physically not possible, I often arrange a few 5 minute 1:1s with our community supporters around BBW events. Hope to see you in Thailand in Nov.