Binance Launches Its Own Leveraged Tokens After Delisting FTX’s Version

Binance is launching its own line of leveraged tokens, starting with BTCUP and BTCDOWN. However, the exchange removed a competitor’s leveraged tokens recently. It seems clear now why.

Binance’s Own Leveraged Tokens

In an announcement made today, Binance unveiled its new leveraged tokens. Starting on May 14, two new leveraged tokens will trade on the exchange: BTCUP and BTCDOWN. Essentially, the tokens work by leveraging gains dependent on Bitcoin’s price. If you think BTC will rise, you would buy BTCUP and vice-versa. Now that Binance is releasing its own leveraged tokens, there are questions surrounding why it unlisted FTX leveraged tokens in March. It claims to do so to “protect users,” but Binance was clearly feeling the competition from FTX Exchange. In the wake of the delistings, other exchanges like BitMax announced they would now be supporting FTX leveraged tokens. Larry Cermak (@lawmaster) recently pointed out the hypocrisy on Twitter. Binance is defending the listing of its own leveraged tokens because it is a “new better version.”

Is It Really About Safety of Users?

Binance claims that its new leveraged tokens are better than the ones offered by FTX exchange. They’re also supposedly ‘safer.’ However, Binance is not known for always putting user safety first. It has put up illiquid altcoins for margin trading, which has caused massive losses for traders. It also provides 100x leverage, which is essentially just gambling. So, it seems clear that Binance delisted FTX tokens because it was competing directly with Binance. Right before delisting, FTX leveraged tokens on Binance were some of the most traded on the exchange. The sudden delisting of these tokens cost holders a significant amount of money as well. Many users were understandably angry by the move. It remains to be seen whether Binance’s own leveraged tokens will prove as popular as the ones offered by FTX. However, Binance has now given more ammunition to critics who claim the exchange is only concerned about its bottom line.