SKN | Binance Consolidates 65% of CEX Stablecoin Reserves as Outflows Cool Amid Bear Market

Stablecoin flows on centralized exchanges (CEXs) are stabilizing after months of heavy outflows, signaling a consolidation of investor capital even as broader crypto markets remain under pressure. According to CryptoQuant, Binance now controls roughly 65% of CEX-held USDT and USDC, highlighting the platform’s dominant role in stablecoin liquidity and the concentration of capital within a single exchange.

Stablecoin Outflows Slow Sharply

CryptoQuant data shows that stablecoin outflows from CEXs totaled just $2 billion over the past month, a sharp moderation compared with $8.4 billion in outflows observed at the start of the 2025 bear market. Nick Pitto, CryptoQuant’s marketing head, told Cointelegraph that this slowdown suggests that investor capital is consolidating rather than fleeing the market.

“Capital isn’t rushing out of crypto right now; it’s consolidating, particularly on Binance,” Pitto said. He added that a shift toward bullish conditions is likely to follow only when stablecoin reserves begin to grow or are actively deployed into risk assets.

Binance Dominates Stablecoin Liquidity

Binance remains the primary hub for centralized stablecoin liquidity, holding $42.3 billion in Tether (USDT) and $5.2 billion in Circle’s USDC, for a total of $47.5 billion—up 31% from $35.9 billion a year ago. This accounts for 65% of all USDT and USDC reserves on CEXs.

Other major exchanges lag considerably. OKX holds $9.5 billion (13%), Coinbase $5.9 billion (8%), and Bybit $4 billion (6%). CryptoQuant notes that Binance’s overwhelming share of stablecoin reserves underscores the concentration of capital and its critical role in maintaining liquidity across the centralized crypto market.

USDT remains the dominant stablecoin on Binance, with reserves increasing 36% year-on-year, while USDC holdings have remained relatively flat. The exchange’s accumulation of USDT reflects both market demand and its position as a settlement hub for crypto trading pairs, highlighting its structural importance during periods of market stress.

Implications for the Crypto Market

While stablecoin outflows have slowed, CryptoQuant cautions that Bitcoin (BTC) may still face downward pressure. As of publication, BTC was trading around $68,206, down roughly 1.3% over 24 hours. Analysts maintain that realized support for Bitcoin remains near $55,000—a level that has yet to be tested.

The current dynamics suggest a market in consolidation rather than capitulation. Capital concentration on Binance may increase efficiency and liquidity in trading, but it also introduces systemic risk, as a large portion of CEX liquidity is centralized in a single platform. Market participants may view this as a double-edged sword: while liquidity is deep and accessible, any disruption at Binance could have amplified effects across the crypto ecosystem.

Investor psychology is also relevant. The moderation of outflows may signal confidence that current market levels are a buying opportunity, or at least a pause in panic selling. Yet the heavy concentration on Binance implies that participants are still cautious about diversification, preferring to keep capital within a trusted intermediary rather than distributing it widely across platforms.

Looking Ahead

The consolidation of stablecoin liquidity suggests that the crypto market is entering a phase of structural concentration, with Binance serving as the primary custodian of investor capital. How these reserves are deployed in the coming months—whether toward risk-on assets like Bitcoin and altcoins or remaining parked in stablecoins—will influence both short-term price dynamics and overall market stability. Exchanges and traders will need to monitor liquidity flows closely, balancing access, security, and exposure to systemic risks.