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Binance Dominates Crypto Exchanges in Bitcoin Deposits for 2024

In a decisive move impacting the cryptocurrency landscape, Binance has mandated the conversion of 15 digital tokens into USDT (Tether), signaling a significant shift towards streamlining its trading assets. This directive affects a specific set of tokens, including Moeda Loyalty Points (MDA), Helium (HNT), Mithril (MITH), among others, with users being given a deadline until April 21 to withdraw these tokens. Post-deadline, the affected tokens will no longer be eligible for withdrawal, pushing towards a consolidated trading environment on Binance. Strategic Reduction in Token Diversity The conversion process is set to simplify the trading ecosystem on Binance, reducing the diversity of tokens available for direct trading but enhancing liquidity and focus on the remaining assets. Binance has committed to keeping users informed through updates and direct email notifications once the conversion process is complete, ensuring a transparent transition for all impacted parties. Adjusting to Blockchain Preferences: The USDC and Tron Network Update Additionally, Binance has announced a cessation of support for USDC deposits and withdrawals on the Tron network (TRC20), effective after April 5. This change aligns with Circle’s recent decision to discontinue its support for the Tron network, though the reasons behind this decision remain unspecified. The trading of USDC on Binance, however, will not be affected by this update. Users affected by the TRC20 discontinuation are advised to transfer their funds to supported blockchains or convert them into fiat currency as per their preference. Despite the halt on new USDC stablecoin issuances on Tron, Circle has indicated that it will maintain USDC operations on the network until February 2025, providing a lengthy transition period for users and stakeholders.

The year 2024 has seen a surge in average Bitcoin and Tether (USDt) deposits across cryptocurrency exchanges, signaling rising institutional interest in digital assets. Binance has emerged as the leader in Bitcoin deposits, significantly outpacing competitors like Kraken and Coinbase.

Binance Outshines Competitors in Bitcoin Deposits

A December 3 report from CryptoQuant revealed that Binance’s average daily Bitcoin deposits grew by 2.77 BTC in 2024, far surpassing Kraken’s increase of 0.56 BTC and Coinbase’s 0.41 BTC. This positions Binance as the go-to platform for institutional and professional investors.

The report also highlighted a significant increase in Bitcoin deposits across all exchanges. The average deposit rose from 0.36 BTC in 2023 to 1.65 BTC in 2024, while USDt deposits climbed from $19,600 to $230,000. These trends indicate a growing presence of institutional investors and market makers in the crypto space.

Binance set new records in 2024, including:

  • A daily deposit of 6.85 BTC on November 3, valued at $465,000.
  • The highest daily USDt deposit since March 2022, at $303,000.

Binance CEO Richard Teng further disclosed in September that the exchange’s corporate clients increased by 40% in 2024, reflecting the platform’s growing appeal among institutional players.

Key Drivers Behind Institutional Adoption

Several factors have contributed to the rising demand for cryptocurrencies, particularly among institutional investors:

  • Trump’s Reelection: Donald Trump’s return to the White House has boosted confidence in the crypto market. His administration is expected to implement favorable regulations, including a revamp of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the establishment of a strategic U.S. Bitcoin reserve.
  • Spot Bitcoin ETFs: The introduction of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has further spurred institutional adoption. These funds now hold over $30 billion in assets, with $6.87 billion in inflows recorded in November alone.
  • BlackRock’s Growing Influence: Asset management giant BlackRock oversees over 2.3% of the world’s Bitcoin supply. Its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) reached 500,380 BTC on December 2, valued at $48 billion, making it a significant player in the market.

Institutional Deposits Mark a Shift in Crypto Dynamics

CryptoQuant’s analysis notes that large Bitcoin and USDt deposits are often made by institutional investors or market makers, a trend that continued to grow throughout 2024. The sharp increase in deposit sizes underscores a shift in the crypto market toward professional and corporate participants.

Adam L

In the world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, I have a great deal of passion and interest. My interest in blockchain and cryptocurrencies has led me to explore these technologies in greater depth, as I am interested in the potential implications they could have on the global economy.

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