Judge Denies SEC’s Request To Freeze Binance.US Assets, Calls For Collaborative Compromise

In a recent development, US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has rejected the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) request to freeze the assets of Binance.US, the American arm of the cryptocurrency trading platform Binance. The court has instead directed both parties to work together in finding a solution that would protect customer funds while allowing Binance.US to continue its operations without interruption and gave the parties until Thursday, June 15 to work out the final details.

The SEC’s initial lawsuit against Binance.US, filed on June 5th, included a plea to freeze all assets of the platform, alleging potential commingling of customer funds and offshore transfers. 

However, such a freeze would have had severe consequences not only for Binance.US but also for the broader digital asset markets, especially if the allegations proved unfounded.

Binance.US And SEC Collaborate to Avoid Total Asset Freeze

Binance.US and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have reached an agreement to work together in order to prevent a complete asset freeze on the cryptocurrency trading platform. This comes after the SEC accused Binance of operating illegally, prompting legal action and a potential freeze of Binance’s US assets.

During a hearing in Washington, US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson stated that the two parties were not far from finding ways to safeguard customer funds while allowing the exchange to continue operating. The judge referred them to a magistrate judge to work on a compromise agreement and ordered a status update to be submitted by Thursday.

Judge Jackson expressed skepticism about the SEC’s approach to regulating the crypto industry, calling it “inefficient and cumbersome.” The regulatory crackdown on the crypto industry has been intensifying, and the actions against Binance and other exchanges like Coinbase have raised concerns about the future of cryptocurrencies in the US.

Binance’s legal team argued against the SEC’s proposed asset freeze, emphasizing the severe consequences it would have on the company’s operations. Binance.US oversees around US$2.2 billion in crypto holdings, and the freezing of assets would hinder the company’s ability to pay vendors, employees, and suppliers.

The SEC’s actions against Binance are seen as a significant step in its regulatory efforts. Previous actions have resulted in fines or the discontinuation of certain products, but a victory over Binance could potentially drive the largest exchange out of the US, further accelerating the exodus of crypto companies from the country.

The ongoing legal battle between Binance and the SEC highlights the authority struggle between regulators and the crypto industry. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of crypto regulation in the United States.

In the midst of these developments, Binance.US announced that its banking partners would no longer provide crucial payment channels, leading to the suspension of trading in US dollars. The SEC argued that Binance and its CEO, Zhao Changpeng, were aware of the potential legal consequences but continued their activities targeting US investors.