Binance to convert $1 billion SAFU fund from stablecoins to Bitcoin

Global cryptocurrency exchange Binance said it will shift the asset allocation of its user protection fund, SAFU (Secure Asset Fund for Users), into Bitcoin (BTC). The move is intended to share the burden of uncertainty with the industry at a time of heightened market volatility.

On the 30th, Binance said on X (formerly Twitter) that it "plans to gradually convert $1 billion worth of stablecoin assets held in the SAFU fund into Bitcoin," adding that it "expects to complete the exchange within 30 days of this announcement."

Binance explained that if Bitcoin price fluctuations cause the SAFU fund’s market value to fall below $800 million, it will top up the fund with additional Bitcoin to maintain it at around the $1 billion level. It also said it will conduct regular reviews of the SAFU fund’s asset size.

Binance highlighted that it views Bitcoin as a core asset of the crypto ecosystem as the backdrop to the move. Binance said, "As the industry enters a more mature phase, demands are rising for stronger platform governance capabilities, risk management, and accountability," adding that "under the recognition that Binance’s volatility is the industry’s volatility, we are holding ourselves to higher standards."

Binance also disclosed key operational results for last year. It said it recovered 38,648 cases of assets stemming from users’ mistaken deposits, totaling $48 million. On a cumulative basis, it said it has supported the recovery of more than $1.09 billion in assets.

In terms of risk controls and user protection, Binance said it proactively warned about 5.4 million users of potential risks, preventing fraud-related losses of about $6.69 billion. It also cited efforts to block activities linked to illicit funds worth about $131 million through cooperation with global law enforcement agencies.

Regarding its listing ecosystem, Binance said it listed 21 public blockchain-based projects on the spot market in 2025, and among them, projects based on Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Solana accounted for the largest shares with 32, 18, and 9 projects, respectively. It added that there were 13 new public chains in total, including payment-, gaming-, and social-focused chains.

Binance added, "We will respond with humility to any feedback," and "we will continue to support sustainable growth of the crypto industry based on transparency and a long-term perspective."