Binance adds 1,315 Bitcoin to SAFU reserve, starting $1B reserve shift from stablecoins toward Bitcoin-backed protection.
Binance has taken its first step toward reshaping its user protection reserves. The exchange confirmed it added 1,315 Bitcoin to the Secure Asset Fund for Users. This move is a strategic move, in the midst of continued volatility in global crypto markets.
Binance Begins Bitcoin Conversion for SAFU Reserves
According to Blockchain.com data, the 1,315 Bitcoins came up to $101 million. The coins were transferred at an average of $77,409.89/Bitcoin. Binance said this transfer marks the first stage of its conversion of SAFU.
The exchange previously announced plans to change its entire $1B reserve of SAFU to Bitcoin. This transition is expected to occur over 30 days gradually. Binance said the phased approach is aimed at minimising unnecessary disruption to the market.
Related Reading: Binance to Shift $1B SAFU Fund Into Bitcoin Reserves Within 30 Days | Live Bitcoin News
On-chain data points to the transfer as an internal treasury reclassification, instead of open-market purchases. Money was transferred from a Binance-controlled hot wallet to the SAFU address. Therefore, the transaction did not have an immediate impact on the liquidity of the spot market.
Binance first announced the strategic shift on January 30, 2026. At the time, the exchange cited Bitcoin’s long-term store of value qualities. Consequently, stablecoins, mainly USDC, will be replaced with Bitcoin holdings.
The announcement came after growing scrutiny of the community under conditions of heightened market turbulence in 2025. Industry-wide concerns on reserve transparency put pressure on major exchanges. Therefore, Binance focused on resilience and the strength of assets for the long term.
SAFU Structure Adjusted to Address Volatility Risks
Binance confirmed that the SAFU conversions will be done gradually to control the volatility exposure. The company stated that it will be running regular review during the transition period. This process is an attempt to maintain the stability of their fund while positioning their reserves in accordance with Bitcoin’s role in the long term.
In order to reduce the risk of price fluctuations, Binance implemented a threshold of protection. The exchange is committed to a minimum valuation of SAFU of $800 million. If the fund falls below that level, Binance will top up to $1B.
This is intended to protect against the volatility of the price of Bitcoin. During the most recent move period, Bitcoin plunged briefly near $74,000. However, prices later recovered back to around $77,000, calming the market.
Binance said that the threshold mechanism allows us to have uninterrupted cover for user safety. The exchange went on to say that the monitoring of reserves will be active throughout market swings. As a result, the function of SAFU is left alone despite changes in the composition of assets.
Established in July 2018, SAFU is Binance’s emergency insurance pool. The fund insures users against extreme events, which include security breaches. It is funded by taking 10% of all trading fees.
Importantly, SAFU assets are held separately from Binance’s operational holdings. This separation is to provide accessibility in times of crises. Therefore, users have a dedicated backstop that is separate from business operations.
Overall, the adjustment to SAFU reflects Binance’s evolving risk management framework. The exchange intends to balance the reliability of protection against market realities. As the volatility continues, the Bitcoin-backed structure of SAFU will continue to be evaluated.
Source: https://www.livebitcoinnews.com/binance-adds-1315-bitcoin-to-safu-reserve-strategy/
