Will Binance die first and survive later?

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has reached an unprecedented settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, and its founder  CZ has announced his resignation as CEO. This significant decision has drawn market attention to the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem and sparked speculation of a "black swan" event within the industry.

The author holds an optimistic view towards this settlement. Although Binance will face substantial fines, it is better than prolonged litigation and confrontation. This settlement allows Binance to resolve its legal risks and ease the tense relationship with the U.S. Department of Justice. For the entire cryptocurrency market, this development is definitely more advantageous than detrimental.

This settlement will also set a precedent for the cryptocurrency industry, establishing what kind of KYC procedures can be considered compliant in the eyes of law enforcement agencies. The author believes that many exchanges in the industry are facing similar legal challenges, and this case can serve as a reference. The entire industry may experience increased regulatory certainty, thereby attracting more institutional investors to participate.

The author believes that the U.S. Department of Justice will soon establish guidelines for anti-money laundering measures and audit methods for exchanges. As a result, exchanges will move towards stable and steady development, rather than facing sudden closures due to regulatory crackdowns.

This settlement is considered a significant victory for the U.S. Department of Justice in the cryptocurrency industry, and CZ’s proactive approach to reaching a settlement also provides a morale boost for the industry. Since he is willing to make significant sacrifices for Binance, it seems that the risk of sudden collapse and failure for Binance has been somewhat reduced. It is indeed a rare win-win situation in the midst of this legal turmoil in the cryptocurrency industry.

While CZ awaits sentencing in the United States, Binance is facing a series of challenges internally. However, there are always more solutions than difficulties, and as long as the team remains determined and with Binance's current leadership position in the cryptocurrency market, there is a good chance that it will emerge stronger and shine in the next bull market.