Binance turns nine with almost half of the world's crypto holders

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, marks its ninth anniversary with over 323 million registered users across more than 100 countries. The platform was launched in July 2017, when fewer than six million people globally held cryptocurrencies. Today, that number exceeds 741 million, representing a growth of more than 12,000 percent in less than a decade. During this period, Binance’s user base expanded from zero to 323 million, meaning approximately 43 percent of all cryptocurrency holders worldwide currently use the platform. This milestone occurs amid a broader shift in the digital asset landscape, which has evolved from a niche market into a critical component of global finance. Institutional participation in digital assets has reached record levels, with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and trusts holding more than 12 percent of the circulating supply of Bitcoin (BTC). Regulatory frameworks for digital assets are advancing in economies within the G20, the European Union, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, while the boundaries between traditional finance and crypto-based infrastructure continue to blur. For Binance, this anniversary signifies more than just a review of nine years of growth. It represents the company’s goal of becoming the leading global financial super app, aiming to bring financial markets to over three billion users worldwide. As of now, Binance has 323 million registered users globally, with a growth rate of nearly 7 percent during the first half of 2026. This figure equates to roughly 43 percent of all cryptocurrency holders around the world. The exchange has accumulated a historical trading volume of more than $156 trillion across all its products, marking a 7.8 percent increase compared to the $145 trillion recorded at the end of 2025. This amount surpasses the combined annual gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States, China, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Institutional users grew by 9 percent during the first half of 2026, indicating increased adoption by professional investors. Additionally, Binance processed over $80 billion in monthly trading volume for traditional financial assets since March 2026. The company also listed 11 percent more cryptocurrencies and added 3 percent more trading pairs during the first half of 2026, expanding investment options and market access for users. In the past year, Binance broadened its offerings beyond digital assets by incorporating traditional financial instruments. These products are supported by the company’s native blockchain infrastructure, enabling settlements in stablecoins, 24/7 market access, and interoperability among different types of assets within a single platform. As Binance advances its diversification strategy, its core cryptocurrency business continues to demonstrate the stability and resilience that have underpinned its leadership since its inception. Binance has processed $156.4 trillion in cumulative historical trading volume, with $11.4 trillion attributed to the first half of 2026, reflecting a 7.8 percent increase compared to the end of 2025. Meanwhile, the institutional user base rose by 9 percent during the same period, highlighting greater involvement of professional capital in the digital asset market. According to the company, this growth occurred despite a more challenging market environment during the first half of 2026.