Wave of Resignations at Binance Raises Concerns Over Employee Turnover
A series of resignations at Binance has sparked worries about employee turnover within the company. Over the past few weeks, more than a dozen employees, including top executives like former Chief Strategy Officer Patrick Hillmann and key legal officers, have left their positions. This is particularly significant considering the potential knowledge these individuals may have had regarding asset custody and control.
In addition to these internal changes, Binance.US has witnessed a significant decline in trading volume. Data from Kaiko indicates that weekly trading volume dropped from a peak of $5 billion in March 2023 to approximately $40 million at the time of reporting on Tuesday.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is calling for a thorough investigation into Binance’s activities, specifically regarding asset custody. This move comes after Binance’s previous opposition to the regulator’s motion to compel. The company argued that the SEC should take into account the counsel narratives it provided, meticulously prepared declarations, and a select collection of documents regarding control over customers’ assets. Binance claimed that any remaining concerns were essentially baseless and trivial.
However, the SEC’s response suggests that Binance’s opposition has only highlighted the complexities that the regulator has been grappling with for months. In light of the recent resignations within Binance, the SEC has reiterated its request for depositions.
Binance has faced increased scrutiny from the SEC since June 2023 when it was sued for alleged rule violations, including securities fraud, money laundering, and commingling customer assets. The company, as well as its founder, known as CZ, have vehemently denied these allegations and have vowed to defend their position in court.
As the SEC intensifies its case against Binance, the future of the cryptocurrency giant hangs in the balance. The outcome of this litigation could have far-reaching implications for the broader crypto industry.
This article was written by an AI with the support of an editor.
