Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, has been under scrutiny recently due to allegations of overstating the success of its initial coin offering (ICO) for Binance Coin (BNB) in 2017. An investigative report published in Forbes shed light on the discrepancies surrounding Binance’s ICO and revealed potential deceptive practices by the company.
According to the report, Binance founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao touted the success of the BNB ICO, stating that it had raised $15 million and that BNB’s price averaged $0.15 per token. These claims were significant, as they helped establish Binance as a major player in the cryptocurrency market. However, a closer examination of the ICO’s details raised doubts about the accuracy of these assertions.
The report discovered inconsistencies in the token allocations outlined in Binance’s white paper. While the paper stated that 100 million BNB tokens were reserved for ICO investors, the investigation revealed that these investors actually received only 10.78 million BNB. This represented a mere fraction of what they were purportedly entitled to, raising concerns about Binance’s transparency and integrity.
In addition to the discrepancies in the token allocations, the investigative report found that Binance’s ICO may have raised significantly less than the claimed amount. Contrary to the $15 million figure, it was suggested that Binance only raised around $5 million. This sizable gap in fundraising results calls into question the accuracy of the company’s financial reporting and raises doubts about the trustworthiness of Binance as an exchange.
The report also shed light on the preferential treatment given to angel investors in Binance’s ICO. While Binance’s white paper stated that 20 million BNB tokens were allocated to angel investors, it was discovered that they actually received a doubled token distribution of 40 million BNB. This discrepancy suggests a lack of fairness in the distribution process, favoring certain individuals or entities over others.
One of the most concerning findings from the investigation was the revelation that Binance may still hold a significant number of unsold tokens. The report estimated that Binance could possess up to 65 million unsold tokens, in addition to its allocated 80 million BNB. This amounts to a substantial amount of value, potentially giving Binance an unfair advantage in the market and raising questions about its ethical practices.
In light of the evidence presented in the Forbes report, it is evident that Binance engaged in deceptive practices regarding its ICO for Binance Coin. The discrepancies in token allocations, fundraising results, and token distribution raise serious concerns about the trustworthiness and transparency of Binance as a cryptocurrency exchange. It is crucial for regulators and investors to closely examine Binance’s operations and hold the company accountable for its actions. Only through increased transparency and ethical business practices can the cryptocurrency industry truly thrive.
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