Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is on the cusp of a major regulatory milestone in the United States while its native token BNB surged to $1,000 for the first time ever on September 18, 2025. Reports indicate that Binance is in advanced talks with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to terminate the court-appointed compliance monitor early—a requirement imposed under its $4.3 billion 2023 settlement for anti-money-laundering and sanctions violations.
BNB Rally Fueled by Regulatory Optimism and Fed Rate Cut
BNB climbed 4.5% to an unprecedented $1,004, pushing its market capitalization near $140 billion and reclaiming its position as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency. Traders attribute the rally to:
- DOJ negotiations: Early exit from the monitor regime would restore greater operational freedom.
- Speculation on CZ’s return: Rumors swirl about co-founder Changpeng Zhao resuming a leadership role.
- Macroeconomic tailwinds: The Federal Reserve’s recent 25 bps rate cut has lifted risk assets broadly.
Technical analysis shows BNB found solid support at $983–$988 before decisively breaking through $995 resistance to hit four-digit territory.
Regulatory Monitor Likely to End Sooner Than Planned
According to Bloomberg, U.S. authorities and Binance are close to finalizing terms that would replace external oversight with enhanced internal controls and reporting. The monitor, appointed in May 2024, supervises Binance’s AML/KYC protocols under a five-year FinCEN mandate. Early termination would set a significant precedent for other major crypto firms negotiating compliance arrangements with regulators.
Binance Maintains Dominance with Unrivaled Trading Volumes
Binance led all centralized exchanges in August 2025, recording $2.91 trillion in futures volume and $744.8 billion in spot trading. Despite competition from Bitfinex and MEXC, which posted 39% and 47% month-over-month gains respectively, Binance’s volumes underscore its commanding market share and liquidity advantage.
CZ Warns of Heightened Security Threats
In a security advisory on September 18, founder Changpeng Zhao cautioned the crypto industry about North Korean hacking groups using fake job applications to infiltrate firms and exfiltrate funds. He urged exchanges to bolster recruitment vetting and internal cybersecurity measures.
What’s Next for Binance and BNB
- Regulatory clarity: Formal DOJ approval of an early monitor exit could trigger further BNB upside.
- Market sentiment: Continued Fed accommodation and broader crypto bullishness may sustain BNB’s momentum.
- Security focus: Binance’s rapid response to CZ’s alert will be closely watched by users and institutional partners.
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