Binance Converts $1B SAFU to Bitcoin - $300M Buy Lifts Reserve to 10,455 BTC

Markets may be flashing red, but Binance is quietly executing a major, multi-year treasury shift — and it’s one of the exchange’s largest moves to date. On Feb. 9, Binance’s Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) completed a $299.6 million purchase of 4,225 BTC, data highlighted by Wu Blockchain shows. That buy brings the SAFU’s Bitcoin hoard to 10,455 BTC, roughly $734 million on current prices. The purchase is part of a deliberate strategy to convert the $1 billion safety reserve from stablecoins into Bitcoin — a plan Binance announced in January 2026 and aims to finish within 30 days. To date, the fund has completed about 73.4% of the transition. Why the shift matters - SAFU was created in 2018 to protect users from hacks and major losses, funded by 10% of trading fees. Historically, most of the reserve sat in stablecoins (USDC, BUSD) to avoid volatility and guarantee predictable payouts during crises. - Binance is now reorienting that capital toward BTC, signaling it sees Bitcoin as the most reliable reserve asset for long-term protection. - Rather than snapping up all BTC at once, Binance is pacing purchases over time to limit market impact and smooth price effects. - Binance has also pledged downside protection: if the fund’s value dips below $800 million, the exchange will top it up to restore the $1 billion target. That commitment effectively creates a backstop that could support Bitcoin during price corrections. Context and precedent This isn’t Binance’s first high-profile use of SAFU to shore up confidence. In March 2023, after several exchange failures, Binance converted nearly $1 billion in BUSD into Bitcoin, Ethereum and BNB — a move widely seen as a vote of confidence that helped stabilize markets. The current campaign is more singular in focus: most of the SAFU will be held in Bitcoin alone, underscoring Binance’s growing bet on BTC as the cornerstone of reserves. Market snapshot At press time, Bitcoin traded near $68,972, down about 2.7%, while BNB was near $625, off roughly 2.78%. Despite the pullback, Bitcoin dominance remains strong at 59.31%, suggesting investors are shifting capital from riskier altcoins into BTC rather than leaving crypto entirely. Bottom line Binance’s methodical conversion of SAFU into Bitcoin — combined with its top-up pledge — provides a tangible form of downside support for BTC and signals the exchange’s confidence in Bitcoin as a reserve asset. For markets already under short-term pressure, the move is likely to be watched closely for its stabilizing potential. Disclaimer: This content is informational and not investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading is high-risk; do your own research before making decisions. © 2026 AMBCrypto Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news