Binance USD (BUSD), the stablecoin issued by Paxos for crypto exchange Binance, has experienced a dramatic decline in market capitalization. CoinGecko data shows that BUSD’s market cap has plummeted from its peak of $23.5 billion in November 2022 to a mere $2.1 billion currently. This puts BUSD significantly behind other stablecoins like USDT and USDC, which boast market caps of $84 billion and $25 billion, respectively.
The decline in BUSD’s market cap can be attributed, at least in part, to regulatory actions taken against its issuer, Paxos. Both the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and the New York District of Financial Services (NYDFS) have initiated regulatory actions against Paxos. These actions have cast a shadow of uncertainty over BUSD and have had a substantial impact on its market performance.
Binance’s Response: Phasing Out BUSD
In response to the regulatory actions against Paxos, Binance has announced its intention to move away from using BUSD on its platform. The exchange has encouraged its users to convert their BUSD balances to FDUSD, a new stablecoin issued by Hong Kong-based First Digital Group. Binance’s decision to reduce support for BUSD products is expected to be implemented by February 2024.
As a result of Binance’s shift away from BUSD, the market share of First Digital USD (FDUSD) is on the rise. CoinGecko data reveals that FDUSD now boasts a market cap close to $470 million. Binance users can trade BUSD for FDUSD without incurring any fees, making the transition between the two stablecoins more convenient.
In an official announcement on Binance’s app, the exchange has informed its users that it will stop supporting BUSD in 2024. This aligns with Paxos’ plans to phase out the purchase of BUSD by February. While this may cause some inconvenience for current BUSD users, it is a necessary step for Binance to comply with regulatory requirements and ensure the stability of its operations.
Despite the significant decline in BUSD’s market cap, the overall impact on Binance’s operations is likely to be minimal. This is because the exchange has already initiated the process of gradually phasing out support for BUSD in line with the regulatory pressures it faces. By shifting its focus to alternative stablecoins, such as FDUSD, Binance can continue to provide its users with stable and compliant trading options.
The decline in market capitalization of Binance USD reflects the regulatory setbacks faced by Paxos and Binance. The actions taken by regulatory authorities have led to a shift away from BUSD and towards alternative stablecoins. While Binance has taken steps to minimize the impact on its operations, the future of BUSD remains uncertain. Only time will tell if BUSD can regain its former market position or if other stablecoins will continue to dominate the crypto market.
