Many users see both binance.com and binance.us when searching for "Binance" on Google. Seeing the same logo and color scheme, many assume they are different entry points for the same company in different regions, only to find out during registration that their accounts are not interchangeable. This article clarifies the relationship between the two and points out that most global users should use the Binance Official Site (binance.com). When downloading the Binance Official App, it is crucial to select the correct version. iOS users should refer to the iOS Installation Guide to download the global version using an international Apple ID.
Q: Are they the same company?
A: No. Binance.com is the global exchange operated by Binance Holdings Limited; Binance.US is an independent U.S. subsidiary operated by a separate legal entity, BAM Trading Services Inc. Accounts, assets, KYC, and tradable coins are not interconnected between the two; they only share some brand licensing.
The Legal Relationship
Q: What is the legal relationship between the two companies?
A: Binance.US is an independent Delaware corporation that pays licensing fees to Binance for the brand and technology, but its operations, compliance, and funds are entirely separate.
Binance.com Entity
- Registered Location: Cayman Islands (early stage), later moved to multiple jurisdictions including Malta and Seychelles.
- Operating Entity: Binance Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries worldwide.
- Founder: Changpeng Zhao (CZ).
- Service Area: Global (excluding restricted regions such as the U.S. and Canada).
- Regulatory Licenses: Dubai VARA, Bahrain CBB, France AMF (PSAN registration), Poland KNF, etc.
Binance.US Entity
- Registered Location: Delaware, USA.
- Operating Entity: BAM Trading Services Inc.
- CEO: Multiple successors, including Catherine Coley and Brian Shroder.
- Service Area: Only compliant U.S. states (excluding New York, Texas, Florida, and others).
- Regulatory Licenses: U.S. FinCEN MSB registration + state Money Transmitter Licenses.
Official Statements
The official statement from Binance Global is: "Binance.US is a separate company that licenses Binance technology and brand for use in the United States."
Are Accounts, Assets, and Coins Interconnected?
A: Not at all. A Binance.com account cannot be used to log into Binance.US, assets cannot be transferred internally, and the list of tradable coins differs.
Detailed Comparison
| Comparison Item | Binance.com (Global) | Binance.US (U.S. Version) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Requirements | International ID, non-U.S. resident | U.S. SSN + U.S. residential address + state restrictions |
| Number of Tradable Coins | 350+ | 150+ (Regulated by the SEC; several tokens deemed securities have been delisted) |
| Fiat Deposit | Multiple currencies (EUR, GBP, AUD, etc.), no direct USD link | USD via bank ACH, wire transfer, debit card |
| Derivatives | Perpetual, Delivery Futures, Options (350+ pairs) | None, explicitly prohibited by the SEC |
| Leverage | Spot Leverage 1-10x | No leverage features |
| Staking / Earn | Simple Earn, Launchpool, ETH Staking, etc. | Significantly reduced; some products have been discontinued |
| KYC | Global identity documents | U.S. Driver's License / SSN / Passport |
| Customer Support | Independent global support | Independent U.S. support |
| App | Global App (Single) | U.S. App (Independent, named "Binance.US") |
Can Assets be Transferred Between Them?
Not directly. If you want to transfer assets from Binance.com to Binance.US:
- Withdraw funds from Binance.com (e.g., USDT or ERC-20 tokens).
- Withdraw to your own wallet or another exchange address.
- Deposit funds into Binance.US (USDT TRC-20 / ERC-20).
The entire process is equivalent to an inter-exchange transfer, requiring on-chain fees. There is no internal fee-free transfer channel between Binance Global and Binance.US.
Which One Should You Use?
A: Unless you are a legal U.S. resident with an SSN, you should always use the Binance.com Global version.
Typical Scenarios
| User Status | Should Use | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland China Residents (withdrawn) | Neither | Rejected by both for compliance reasons |
| Global users with non-U.S. ID | Binance.com | Fullest features and largest coin selection |
| Hong Kong/Macau Residents | Binance.com | Global version; stay updated on SFC policies regarding VATP |
| Taiwan Residents | Binance.com | Registration allowed; follow local AML compliance |
| U.S. Green Card Holders / Citizens | Binance.US | Must use the U.S. version; Global version rejects U.S. IPs and SSNs |
| U.S. Visa Holders (not residents) | Binance.com | Visa status does not equal residency; still use the Global version |
Do Not Mix Accounts
A: While holding accounts on both is allowed, you cannot use the same phone number, email, or KYC for both.
The Binance system performs cross-checks. Registering on both sides with the same identity information can trigger risk controls. If you are moving from overseas to the U.S.:
- Complete all withdrawals from the Global version.
- Close your Global account (delete KYC, withdraw all assets).
- Re-register on Binance.US with your U.S. identity.
Special Status of Binance.US
A: Since June 2023, Binance.US has faced significant turmoil, including SEC lawsuits, bank channel closures, CEO changes, and mass delistings. Its current business scale is significantly smaller than the Global version.
Regulatory Timeline
- June 2023: The SEC sued Binance and Binance.US, alleging 13 securities violations.
- June 2023: Binance.US suspended USD deposit channels.
- November 2023: CZ pleaded guilty personally and resigned as CEO of Binance.com.
- 2024-2025: Binance.US gradually restored some USD channels, but the SEC case remains partially unresolved.
Current Availability
Binance.US is still operational, but its market share has declined significantly compared to local compliant exchanges like Coinbase or Kraken. It has fewer coins, fewer products, and lower liquidity than the Global version. Most U.S. users prefer Coinbase or Kraken, while only professional crypto users tend to maintain Binance.US accounts.
Identification via Domains
A: Look at the domain suffix: .com is Global, .us is the U.S., and anything else is likely phishing.
Genuine Binance Official Domains
binance.com Global Headquarters
binance.us U.S. Subsidiary (Independently Operated)
binance.tr Turkey Subsidiary
Non-Existent "Binance Domains"
binance.cn Does not exist
binance.com.cn Does not exist
binance.uk Does not exist (FCA prohibited operations)
binance.ca Does not exist (Prohibited in Canada)
binance.in Does not exist
binance.jp Does not exist (Only binance.co.jp existed early on, now closed)
Any "Binance + Country Code" domain not in the first group is either phishing or a defunct compliance site.
For more background on this site, see About BabiaHub, and refer to the Disclaimer for related risks.
FAQ
Q: Can I log into Binance.US with my Binance.com account?
A: No. They are independent systems with no data interconnection. Even if the email and password are the same, Binance.US will state "Account does not exist."
Q: Can I transfer BNB from Binance.com to Binance.US?
A: Yes, but it must be done via an on-chain transfer (BSC or BNB Beacon Chain), not internally. You will need to pay withdrawal fees and on-chain gas.
Q: What are the requirements for registering on Binance.US?
A: A legal U.S. residential address, SSN (Social Security Number), a U.S. driver's license or passport, and residency in a non-restricted state (excluding New York, Texas, Hawaii, etc.). Holders of tourist or student visas without an SSN usually cannot complete KYC.
Q: Can I trade futures on Binance.US?
A: No. The SEC does not allow Binance.US to provide any derivative trading. Only spot trading and limited staking products are available. If you need futures, you must use the Binance.com Global version (requires non-U.S. identity).
Q: Will Binance.US ever merge with Binance.com?
A: No. U.S. regulations require crypto trading services to be provided by a local U.S. entity. A merger would immediately trigger regulatory penalties. Both will continue to operate independently.