In a startling turn of events, Binance.US, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, finds itself at a crossroads following a legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fallout from the lawsuit has sent shockwaves through the crypto industry, with repercussions echoing far beyond the exchange’s walls.

Christopher Blodgett, the chief operating officer of Binance.US, revealed in a recent deposition the crippling effects of the SEC’s lawsuit. He described the impact as a “near-mortal blow,” painting a grim picture of the exchange’s struggles in the wake of regulatory scrutiny.

The SEC’s lawsuit, filed in June of last year, accused Binance, Binance.US, and its founder Changpeng Zhao of selling unregistered securities and engaging in other illicit activities. The allegations prompted a cascade of consequences for Binance.US, including a significant loss of trust from banking partners and customers alike.

Blodgett lamented that Binance.US has become “radioactive” to banks, with many institutions withdrawing their support out of fear of regulatory backlash. The mere association with Binance.US, he explained, has become a liability, inviting unwelcome attention from authorities.

He explained that the label stems from the fear within the banking sector of being associated with Binance.US. The risk of facing subpoenas from the SEC became a palpable threat for any institution collaborating with the embattled crypto exchange. Consequently, banking partners withdrew their support, leaving Binance.US customers unable to transact in U.S. dollars.

Blodgett highlighted the challenge of finding new banking partners, stating that the business was effectively choked as a result. The fallout was immediate, with around $1 billion of assets fleeing the platform shortly after the SEC’s legal action. In a desperate bid to navigate the crisis, Binance.US had to make the tough decision to terminate more than two-thirds of its workforce.

The executive also emphasized the erosion of institutional trust in the aftermath of the SEC’s charges. Binance.US, which previously boasted more than 20 market makers, saw a significant reduction to less than five. This loss of market makers further complicated the exchange’s ability to rebound from the crisis.

The SEC’s charges against Binance, Binance.US, and founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao included allegations of selling unregistered securities, engaging in wash trading to inflate volumes, and commingling user funds in an account at the Zhao-associated Merit Peak. Despite settling with the Department of Justice, Treasury, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for a substantial $4.3 billion in November, the SEC remains steadfast in its allegations against the crypto exchange.

The fallout from the lawsuit has had profound financial implications for Binance.US. Banking partners severed ties, rendering the exchange unable to facilitate transactions in U.S. dollars. This liquidity crunch has effectively strangled the business, leading to a staggering loss in revenue and the termination of over 200 staff members.

In addition to the financial turmoil, Binance.US has also suffered a severe erosion of institutional trust. Blodgett revealed that the exchange’s roster of market makers has dwindled to less than five, down from over 20 prior to the lawsuit. This decline underscores the extent to which the SEC’s actions have undermined confidence in the platform.

Despite facing mounting pressure, Binance.US remains embroiled in legal battles with the SEC. The regulatory agency has persisted in its pursuit of charges against the exchange, signaling a prolonged and uncertain road ahead.

The ramifications of Binance.US’s ordeal extend beyond the confines of the exchange itself. The broader cryptocurrency market has felt the reverberations of regulatory intervention, with investors and industry stakeholders closely monitoring developments.

The SEC’s actions serve as a stark reminder of the regulatory challenges facing the cryptocurrency ecosystem. As the industry continues to evolve, exchanges and platforms must navigate a complex landscape of compliance and oversight.

In the aftermath of the SEC lawsuit, questions linger about the future of Binance.US and its role in the crypto market. The exchange’s ability to rebound from this setback hinges on its capacity to rebuild trust, navigate regulatory hurdles, and adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape.

As the crypto community grapples with uncertainty, one thing remains clear: the fallout from the SEC lawsuit has cast a long shadow over Binance.US and the broader cryptocurrency industry.