After nearly two years of operation as a crypto-only platform, Binance.US has returned to the American market with renewed vigor, announcing the return of its US dollar (USD) service and the introduction of 0% trading fees for certain crypto-USD (speculative) pairs. The announcement was made on January 12, 2026, and is considered the “beginning” of a new phase in the evolution of the American cryptocurrency ecosystem, which has undergone extensive regulatory hurdles.
USD service after 19 months of return
Binance.US’s resumption of accepting fiat payments marks an important transition for Binance.US, after the SEC suspended USD deposits and withdrawals in June 2023 due to the SEC’s lawsuit against Binance.US. Increased regulatory scrutiny forced Binance.US to transition to a crypto-only exchange, leading to a staggering 75% drop in revenue.
The implementation of zero-fee ACH bank transfers to access over 160 cryptocurrencies on exchanges could have a significant impact on customer experience. The first phase of the rollout of these new services will occur in February 2026 and will be open to all customers who meet the eligibility criteria. COO Blodgett commented that there have been significant regulatory changes following the recent election, resulting in significant demand from banks to work with the exchange.
Aiming to acquire users by promoting transactions with zero fees
Binance.US has announced a zero-fee trading promotion for select spot pairs as part of its efforts to compete for US crypto trading market share with major rivals such as Coinbase and Kraken. This move is supported by the deployment of USD services on the Binance.US platform.
The platform has zero-fee Bitcoin trading functionality on the BTC/USDC pair and was a pioneer among major US exchanges. Binance.US seems intent on rebuilding from the post-SEC lawsuit leak by expanding this service.
As of today, the exchange has established support for 160 cryptocurrencies and offers staking services for over 20 digital assets. According to data gathered from industry sources, many exchanges have determined that the ability to compete based on relatively low cost spot trading fees is critical. Therefore, many exchanges frequently adjust their fee schedules to appeal to their large trader base.
Reestablishing trust in a changed market
The recovery of Binance.US reflects large-scale changes in the crypto industry. Binance’s parent company reached 300 million global customer accounts in December 2024 and acquired an additional 30 million user accounts during this period. For US traders, the return of USD services removes a key friction point that caused many traders to move their assets to competing platforms.
Interim CEO Norman Reed has previously stated publicly that he believes 2026 will be a “breakthrough year” for Binance.US. The platform’s leadership has presented plans that go beyond simply restoring USD services, including improvements to its custody services, in addition to the continued expansion of its list of cryptocurrencies. In the context of other growth strategies in the blockchain space, platforms such as the Ark of Panda and Duck Chain partnership are great examples of how strategic partnerships can help grow the ecosystem.
conclusion
The official return of Binance.US to full operations with USD services and the promotion of zero trading fees is more than just a business milestone. This is emblematic of how crypto companies have been able to rebuild despite experiencing severe regulatory challenges. As the U.S. regulatory landscape continues to evolve, Binance.US is positioned to capitalize on renewed interest from institutional investors and retailers in digital assets.
