Investors have withdrawn approximately $6 billion from Binance’s stablecoin, according to a report from Reuters.
Binance USD (BUSD) is a stablecoin issued by the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, which is pegged to the U.S. dollar.
The recent withdrawals come as regulators worldwide have increased scrutiny of stablecoins, citing concerns about potential risks to financial stability.
Stablecoins are digital tokens that are designed to maintain a stable value relative to a specific asset or basket of assets, such as a fiat currency or a commodity. They are often used as a means of payment or as a store of value in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Binance has faced regulatory pressure in several countries, including the United States and Germany, over its operations. In November 2021, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) launched an investigation into whether Binance had allowed Americans to trade derivatives that are not registered with the agency.
Binance has also been criticized for its handling of money laundering and fraud prevention. In March 2022, Binance was fined $1.1 billion by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for allegedly allowing Americans to use its platform to evade taxes.
The recent outflows from Binance’s stablecoin could be a sign of waning investor confidence in the company’s operations. However, it is worth noting that stablecoins in general have seen significant growth in recent years, with many institutional investors and companies using them as a means of payment and settlement.
In the face of regulatory pressure, Binance has attempted to adapt its operations. In December 2021, the company announced that it would no longer offer derivatives trading for customers in Europe, in response to a ban by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
Overall, the regulatory landscape for stablecoins remains uncertain. While they offer benefits in terms of speed and efficiency, they also pose potential risks to financial stability if they are not properly regulated. As such, it is likely that regulators will continue to scrutinize stablecoins and the companies that issue them in the coming years.