Founded in 2017 by Changpeng โCZโ Zhao, Binance has become one of the largest crypto asset exchanges in the market, providing a wide variety of software products and services for buying and selling cryptocurrencies.
The Binance ecosystem encompasses diverse offerings, including the Binance exchange for cryptocurrency trading, the BNB Smart Chain enabling decentralized applications, the Binance Academy for educational content and Trust Wallet for secure asset storage and management.
BNB (BNB) serves as the driving force behind the BNB Chain ecosystem, functioning as its native cryptocurrency token. BNB originated from Binanceโs initial coin offering and served as a means for users on the Binance exchange to reduce trading fees upon its launch. In 2019, Binance launched a mainnet blockchain, Binance Chain, with BNB as its coin. In 2020, Binance Smart Chain (BSC) was launched as a separate compatible blockchain alongside Binance Chain. In 2022, Binance merged the Binance Chain and Binance Smart Chain ecosystems under a single label: BNB Chain. Both chains still run parallel and serve distinct roles but are housed under a single name.
Despite its success, Binance is under constant regulatory review as authorities examine whether it complies with global financial laws. This highlights the industryโs unstable regulatory environment and has led Binance to bolster its adherence to laws and regulations in various jurisdictions. Nonetheless, its technological prowess, worldwide reach, and forward-thinking leadership solidify its position as a formidable crypto behemoth.
