BINANCE ADDS 100M USERS IN 18 MONTHS WHILE BITCOIN BALANCES DECLINE ON EXCHANGES
Binance took nearly five years to attract its first 100 million users but added the next 100 million in just over two years, translating to an average of more than 180,000 new users per day, according to Matt Poblocki, general manager for Binance Australia and New Zealand, who spoke on Friday.
Shift From Speculation to Institutional Adoption
The rapid growth aligns with a broader shift in the crypto market, as digital assets move beyond speculative trading toward wider institutional use. Binance reported a 14% year-over-year increase in institutional users and a 13% rise in institutional trading volumes, highlighting growing interest from professional investors.
Bitcoin Leaves Exchanges as Corporate Holdings Rise
Bitcoin balances held on exchanges have dropped to their lowest level in five years, while holdings by public companies and exchange-traded funds continue to climb. Binance noted that more than 200 public companies now hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets, signaling increasing long-term confidence in the asset.
Users Increasingly Embrace Long-Term Holding
According to Binance’s 2025 User Pulse survey, which included more than 95,000 users across 48 markets, nearly 50% of respondents now identify as long-term holders rather than active traders. Portfolio diversification and investing for future goals, such as home ownership, ranked among the top reasons for crypto adoption.
Australia Sees Rising Crypto Adoption
In Australia, cryptocurrency ownership has reached 26% of the population, with another 32% expressing interest in investing in the future, based on research by Protocol Theory commissioned by Binance Australia. Trading activity in the region remains focused on established assets, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana leading volumes in December.
Binance’s Market Share and Asset Security
Binance currently accounts for 35% to 45% of global Bitcoin and Ethereum trading volume and safeguards more than $170 billion in customer assets, according to public Proof of Reserves data cited by Kaiko.
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Regulation and TradFi Integration in Focus
Poblocki said 2026 is likely to be shaped by deeper integration between digital assets and traditional finance, supported by clearer regulation. Key developments include Australia’s proposed Digital Assets Bill and the rollout of the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework.
Expansion Into Precious Metals Derivatives
Beyond digital assets, Binance has expanded its product lineup with the launch of perpetual futures contracts tied to gold and silver. These products allow traders to gain exposure to precious metals prices without holding physical assets and operate under the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in Abu Dhabi through the ADGM regulatory framework.
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