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With a crypto-friendly White House set to take office in January, discussions around Binance’s return to the US have gained attention. However, the CEO of Binance, stated that the possibility of re-entering the US market remains premature.

“Whether we re-enter the US market, I think that’s a premature discussion,” Teng told Bloomberg TV on December 9. He emphasized that Binance is focused on global expansion, saying, “As of now, we are focusing on our global deployment.”

The new Binance CEO Richard Teng said that after it was forced to exit the US a year ago there is still no consensus to return. And the current SEC Chair Gary Gensler is particularly critical of all crypto assets

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Binance and the SEC have a Troubled History 

Founded in 2017, Binance quickly became the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. At one time it accounted for more than 40% of all crypto trading. However, the company faced significant regulatory challenges, particularly in the United States.

 In June 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase, accusing Binance of selling unregistered securities and other violations. These actions occurred under SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who has been highly critical of the crypto industry.

By November 2023, Binance exited the US as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the US government. The settlement addressed allegations of sanctions violations, money laundering, and operating as an unlicensed money transmitter.

The agreement also imposed strict oversight, with the Justice Department appointing an independent compliance monitor for three years and the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) instituting a five-year monitoring period.

Richard Teng’s Vision for Binance
Since assuming the role of CEO in November 2023, Teng has prioritized regulatory compliance. He replaced Changpeng Zhao, who stepped down after admitting to violations of US money laundering laws. 

Teng has been candid about the exchange’s shortcomings, acknowledging in a 2023 interview with Cointelegraph that “there were gaps in terms of compliance.”

Teng reiterated his commitment to compliance, stating, “I believe that compliance is the way to go. Given that regulations are going to be much clearer throughout the world, we have the ability to invest very heavily in compliance. I want to make complete compliance a competitive advantage.”

Future in the US Remains Uncertain

There is speculation about potential policy shifts under pro-crypto President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Teng continues to dismiss the idea of renegotiating the terms of Binance’s US settlement. “Any discussion on the topic is moot,” he said.

 Instead, Binance is focusing on expanding its global presence and attracting institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and high-net-worth individuals.

While Binance.US, the exchange’s American arm, continues to operate, it is restricted to crypto-only transactions and cannot handle US dollars. For now, Binance’s return to the broader US market remains uncertain.