Binance has taken another decisive step to strengthen user protection by significantly increasing the Bitcoin reserves held in its Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU). On February 9, 2026, the exchange added 4,225 BTC to the fund, a move valued at approximately $300 million. This latest allocation brings SAFU’s total Bitcoin holdings to 10,455 BTC, worth around $741 million at current market prices.
The announcement was shared through Binance’s official X account and marks a major milestone in the exchange’s broader strategy to restructure SAFU with a stronger emphasis on Bitcoin. The move reflects not only Binance’s confidence in BTC as a long-term asset, but also its commitment to transparency and user security in an evolving crypto landscape.
What Is SAFU and Why It Matters
The Secure Asset Fund for Users was launched in July 2018 as an emergency insurance pool designed to protect users against unexpected events such as security breaches or system failures. Binance allocates 10% of all trading fees to SAFU, allowing the fund to grow continuously alongside platform activity.
SAFU gained global recognition in 2019 when Binance successfully used the fund to fully reimburse users affected by a major security incident, without halting withdrawals or disrupting operations. Since then, SAFU has become one of the most visible and trusted user protection mechanisms in the crypto industry.
A key differentiator is transparency. Binance maintains publicly viewable on-chain addresses for SAFU, enabling anyone to independently verify the fund’s holdings in real time. This level of openness plays a crucial role in building long-term trust.
Strategic Shift Toward Bitcoin
On January 30, 2026, Binance revealed plans to convert approximately $1 billion worth of SAFU assets from stablecoins into Bitcoin over a 30-day period. The decision followed community feedback and was driven by Bitcoin’s liquidity, decentralization, and on-chain verifiability.
To manage market volatility, Binance introduced a rebalancing mechanism. If SAFU’s value drops below $800 million, additional BTC purchases are triggered to move the fund back toward its $1 billion target. The conversion has been executed in stages, with regular public updates:
February 2, 2026: First $100 million converted into BTC
February 4, 2026: Second $100 million batch, total ~2,630 BTC
February 6, 2026: Addition of 3,600 BTC, total ~6,230 BTC
February 9, 2026: Latest purchase of 4,225 BTC, reaching 10,455 BTC
Binance has confirmed that updates will continue as the remaining stages are completed.
Impact on the Market and User Confidence
By increasing Bitcoin exposure and reducing reliance on stablecoins, Binance is positioning SAFU around an asset that is fully auditable, decentralized, and globally trusted. At a time when stablecoin reserves and risk management are under closer scrutiny, this shift signals a more conservative and transparent approach to user protection.
For users, the message is clear: Binance is prioritizing long-term security over short-term convenience. Market observers view the move as broadly bullish, with potential implications for how other exchanges structure their own insurance and protection funds.
With SAFU’s Bitcoin address remaining publicly auditable, the community can continue to track developments directly on-chain. As the conversion nears completion, attention will remain on how SAFU adapts to Bitcoin’s price movements and broader market conditions — reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of user trust in the crypto ecosystem.