Binance.US Sparks Political Firestorm With USD1 Stablecoin Launch
Washington regulators are seeing red as Binance.US drops a political bombshell with its latest stablecoin listing.
The Regulatory Powder Keg
Another day, another stablecoin—but this one's lighting up political switchboards from Capitol Hill to statehouses. The USD1 listing represents more than just another digital asset; it's a direct challenge to the traditional financial gatekeepers who thought they had this space contained.
Why Politicians Are Sweating
Every stablecoin launch these days feels like watching bankers and politicians play regulatory whack-a-mole—except the moles keep getting bigger and better funded. The USD1 entry proves crypto's end-run around traditional finance isn't just continuing; it's accelerating.
The New Financial Reality
While politicians scramble to contain what they don't understand, the market's voting with its wallet—and the tally keeps growing. Another billion-dollar digital asset enters the arena while traditional finance still debates whether to allow innovation or just tax it into submission.
Welcome to the future of money—where the real stablecoin is political opposition to progress.
TLDR
- Binance.US defends USD1 listing, denies any link to Trump or politics.
- Political heat rises as Binance.US lists Trump-tied stablecoin USD1.
- Binance.US insists stablecoin vetting stays neutral despite backlash.
- WLFI and USD1 listings spark claims of political favoritism at Binance.US.
- Zhao pardon stirs Binance.US controversy, firm denies coordinated ties.
Binance.US rejected claims of political bias after criticism over its decision to list USD1, a Trump-linked stablecoin. The exchange stated that the listing followed routine internal processes and was unrelated to any political events. Binance.US emphasized that asset approval underwent standard legal and compliance review procedures.
USD1 Listing Sparks Political Controversy
Binance.US faced backlash following its recent listing of USD1, a stablecoin issued by World Liberty Financial. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy accused the platform of favoring Donald TRUMP after his pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. Murphy suggested the listing acted as a return gesture for the presidential pardon.
Binance.US stated that the listing decision was independent of external influence and was based on regular evaluation processes. The platform highlighted that USD1 is already live on over 20 major U.S. exchanges, including Coinbase and Kraken. It further noted that internal committees approved the coin prior to any political developments.
Although some lawmakers questioned the timing, Binance.US maintained the process remained business-oriented and impartial. The exchange stated that it treats all listings equally, whether related to stablecoins, tokens, or other digital assets. It dismissed the political narrative as unfair and misleading.
WLFI Coin Also Under Scrutiny
WLFI, a native token of World Liberty Financial, also drew attention after its listing on Binance.US. Political critics tied the token to Trump’s inner circle and raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. World Liberty Financial has faced allegations of undue influence due to Trump’s vocal support for stablecoins.
Binance.US clarified that WLFI underwent the same vetting as other listed assets. The exchange noted that WLFI has been available across multiple regulated platforms for a long time. It stressed that neither Trump nor his affiliates influenced the listing.
The firm reiterated its listing committee reviewed WLFI based on market demand, legal clearance, and technical compliance. Binance.US insisted that it follows regulatory standards and does not coordinate listings with political figures. The platform aims to support token variety while maintaining strict internal controls.
Zhao’s Legal Background Raises More Questions
The controversy reignited debates surrounding Changpeng Zhao, who stepped down after legal troubles in 2023. Zhao pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering violations and served a short sentence before his release last year. His pardon by Trump led to heightened scrutiny of Binance.US actions.
Democratic leaders, including Maxine Waters, criticized the pardon and Zhao’s previous lobbying efforts. They alleged Zhao funneled significant funds into World Liberty Financial to gain favor. Zhao, however, thanked Trump after the pardon and pledged support for U.S. crypto expansion.
Binance.US denied any coordination between Zhao and its operations. It explained that Zhao no longer holds decision-making power at Binance.US. The company concluded that it remains focused on compliance, transparency, and neutrality in its business strategy.
