Binance Expands Support for USD1, the Trump-Linked Stablecoin
Binance is expanding access to USD1, the Trump family–connected stablecoin, by adding new zero-fee trading pairs as the token gains a stronger presence on the exchange.
Key Points
Binance has rolled out new zero-fee USD1 trading pairs and will phase out BUSD collateral in favor of USD1.
USD1 has quickly climbed to a $2.7 billion market cap, backed by U.S. Treasuries and boosted by major investment flows from Abu Dhabi.
The stablecoin’s growth comes as political attention intensifies and as Binance strengthens its regulatory position in the region.
Users can now trade USD1 against ETH, SOL, and BNB, alongside its existing BTC pair.
Binance Retires BUSD, Shifts to USD1 as Main Collateral
Binance will convert all remaining BUSD collateral into USD1 at a one-to-one rate within a week, effectively retiring BUSD from its platform. USD1 will now serve as the exchange’s primary dollar-pegged collateral asset.
The company called USD1 “an integral part” of its ecosystem moving forward. World Liberty Financial CEO Zach Witkoff praised the update as a major milestone for a stablecoin that only launched in March.
USD1—issued on Ethereum and BNB Chain—has already become the seventh-largest stablecoin, supported heavily by a $2 billion deployment from Abu Dhabi’s MGX in May.
While USD1 briefly hit a $3 billion supply peak in October, issuance has paused for several months, according to CoinGecko.
The stablecoin also stands out for its political connection, with World Liberty Financial co-founded by former President Donald Trump and his sons.
A Political Twist Around Binance and CZ
Interest in USD1 grew further after Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao seven weeks ago. Zhao served four months in prison in 2024 for failing to implement proper anti–money laundering controls. Trump defended the pardon, saying the offense “is not even a crime.”
Meanwhile, Binance has locked in three new licences in Abu Dhabi, giving it deeper regulatory footing in one of the Middle East’s major crypto hubs. Abu Dhabi’s FSRA has approved Binance to operate through regulated entities covering exchange, clearing, and brokerage activities.
Binance Eyes a U.S. Return
Following CZ’s pardon, Binance is reportedly exploring ways to re-enter the U.S. market. Options include merging Binance US with the global exchange or allowing the main platform to serve American customers directly.
The pardon removes the legal barriers that previously prevented Zhao from taking part in company operations. Legal experts say his renewed involvement gives Binance a significant leadership boost as it considers a U.S. comeback.
Zhao, with an estimated net worth of $61.4 billion, still oversees a massive crypto empire with $8.7 billion in on-chain assets. The decision aligns with Trump’s broader support for the digital asset industry—an industry from which his family has reportedly earned over $1 billion.
