Ripple CEO Predicts Binance Will Reenter U.S. Market as Exchange Takes “Wait-and-See” Approach
Davos, January 20, 2026 — In recent remarks at the CNBC Davos event, Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of blockchain technology company Ripple, predicted that Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, will eventually return to the U.S. market. This comes as Binance’s co-CEO Richard Teng confirmed the company is currently taking a “wait-and-see” approach regarding its reentry into the country.
Binance’s Cautious Stance on U.S. Return
Richard Teng, speaking to CNBC during the Davos conference, emphasized the importance of the U.S. as a marketplace, describing it as “very important,” but reiterated that Binance is cautiously evaluating the regulatory landscape before making any moves. “We are very aware of where regulatory frameworks stand, and we’re monitoring closely,” Teng said, signaling a patient and strategic approach.
Binance had exited the U.S. market in 2023 following a significant legal settlement. The company’s then-CEO, Changpeng Zhao, pled guilty to criminal charges linked to insufficient anti-money laundering controls, culminating in a $4.3 billion settlement with the Department of Justice. Zhao was later pardoned by former President Donald Trump in October 2025. Subsequent reports in late 2025 indicated Binance was considering a U.S. return.
Ripple’s Optimism on Binance’s Return
Garlinghouse expressed confidence that Binance’s return to the U.S. is not a question of if, but when. “It’s a very large market, and… not that many years ago, they were a material player,” he noted during his CNBC interview. He described Binance as “a capitalistic, innovative company” motivated to grow and solve larger market opportunities.
He also highlighted the competitive benefits Binance’s presence could bring to the U.S. crypto ecosystem. “I think it will actually have the positive impact of bringing more people into the market, in part because it’ll reduce pricing,” Garlinghouse said. According to him, Binance’s global pricing is generally lower than what is currently seen in the U.S., which could foster increased accessibility and competition.
Regulatory Landscape and Industry Divide
The U.S. cryptocurrency sector has seen significant regulation efforts recently, with the passing of the Genius Act last year—which regulates stablecoins—and the ongoing debate over the Clarity Act, designed to further clarify cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks.
The Clarity Act has met resistance within the industry. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly opposed the bill, stating on social media platform X that Coinbase “can’t support the bill as written.” Despite this, both Teng and Garlinghouse have expressed support for the Clarity Act.
Teng, a former financial regulator himself, noted, “Any regulation will be better than no regulation.” He acknowledged that while initial versions of regulation may be imperfect, establishing clear rules is essential to foster compliance and enable stakeholders to adapt effectively.
Garlinghouse was candid about his surprise toward Coinbase’s strong opposition and emphasized a broader industry consensus in favor of regulatory clarity. “Basically, the rest of the industry, including exchanges that compete with Coinbase, were still supporting it,” he said. He urged stakeholders to continue negotiating the terms to break the impasse. “If we want the industry to continue to grow, we need things like the Genius Act, we need things like the Clarity Act,” he added.
Looking Ahead
Binance’s potential reentry into the U.S. market signals a critical juncture for the cryptocurrency ecosystem amid evolving regulations. Industry leaders like Garlinghouse remain optimistic that regulatory clarity and competition will ultimately benefit consumers and promote growth within the sector.
As the industry watches closely, Binance’s measured “wait-and-see” approach may set the stage for when and how the exchange navigates one of the most important cryptocurrency markets globally.
Arjun Kharpal contributed reporting from CNBC Davos.