A new report shows that Binance almost has a monopoly in the CEX market in terms of crypto airdrop distribution and staking rewards. In 2024, the exchange received $2.6 billion of a total of $2.7 billion in rewards, amounting to 94% of the entire market segment.
In an exclusive press release shared with BeInCrypto, Binance also revealed that it’s making substantial changes to its airdrop services to improve user experience and make participation easier.
In the past year, the exchange has become synonymous with the latest airdrops, as most users are accessing their rewards through the platform.
Exchanges with Most Launchpool Rewards and Airdrops in 2024. Source: CoinMarketCap
Based on this impressive performance in the airdrop sector, Binance has substantially upgraded a few of its services. The platform has revamped its Launchpool and BNB Earn pages, making it easier for users to both track and participate in airdrops.
“With these upgrades, we’re making it easier than ever for users to unlock the full potential of BNB and participate in high-quality token launches. The redesigned Binance Launchpool and BNB pages reflect our commitment to user education, simplicity, and maximizing rewards,” said Jeff Li, VP of Product at Binance.
The updated BNB page will give Binance users key benefits, such as real-time information on airdrops across its platforms, including Launchpool, Megadrop, and HODLer Airdrops.
Users will also see features like trading fee discounts, VIP perks, and a historical rewards section. These improvements are designed to help the firm maintain its significant dominance while continuing to focus on integrity.
Hopefully, these improvements will allow the firm to maintain its significant dominance while maintaining its usual integrity. Last month, Binance Research identified some systemic problems with airdrops in general, and the exchange seems particularly concerned with its reputation.
Bitcoin was once considered the dominant currency in illicit transactions. However, it is now being replaced by privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR), Zcash (ZEC), Dash, and stablecoins.
The primary reason for Bitcoin’s decline in illegal activities is its transparency.
Reasons for the Shift from Bitcoin to Privacy Coins
Bitcoin (BTC) once dominated illicit activities on the Dark Web, such as Nucleus Marketplace or Brian’s Club. The report from TRM Labs indicated that Bitcoin accounted for 97% of the total cryptocurrency volume associated with illegal activities in 2016.
However, by 2022, this figure had dropped sharply to just 19%, indicating a significant shift toward other cryptocurrencies.
According to the TRM Labs’ report, illegal cryptocurrency activities involving Bitcoin will drop to just 12% by 2024. Tron (TRX) holds the top position with 58%. In another report from Chainalysis, stablecoins now account for the majority of total illicit transaction volume at 63%. The use of Bitcoin in illegal activities also recorded a significant decline.
Stablecoins gained 63% of illicit trading activity by 2024. Source: Chainalysis
White House Market, one of the largest Dark Web marketplaces, stopped accepting Bitcoin and exclusively used Monero (XMR) for transactions in 2020.
“The Bitcoin workaround was supposed to be there just to help with transition to XMR and as we are concerned, it’s done, therefore we are now Monero only, just as planned,” stated White House Market.
The decision was driven by Bitcoin’s limitations, particularly its blockchain transparency. This move reflected a strategic shift in Dark Web markets and highlighted the rise of privacy coins like Monero, which are designed to provide enhanced anonymity.
The Popularity of Privacy Coins on the Dark Web
The decline of Bitcoin in illegal activities is not coincidental but rather stems from its inherent limitations. First and foremost, Bitcoin’s blockchain is a public ledger. When combined with additional data such as IP addresses or exchange records, every transaction can be tracked.
This transparency has enabled law enforcement agencies like the FBI to use blockchain analytics tools from Chainalysis and Elliptic to dismantle major Dark Web markets. Examples include the Silk Road shutdown in 2013, AlphaBay in 2017, Hydra in 2022, and Incognito Market in 2024.
Additionally, Bitcoin faces technical challenges, including high transaction fees and slow confirmation times. In contrast, privacy coins like Monero, Zcash, and Dash leverage advanced technologies to ensure high levels of anonymity, making transaction tracking extremely difficult. The Research from ScienceDirect suggests that privacy coins are closely linked to Dark Web traffic, further increasing their popularity in illicit markets.
The Two Sides of the Shift to Privacy Coins
On the positive side, Bitcoin’s declining role in illegal activities may improve its reputation as a legitimate financial tool. This could lead to wider acceptance and attract more users and investors.
However, the shift from Bitcoin to privacy coins and stablecoins has made it more challenging for law enforcement agencies to track and prevent illegal transactions. Despite advanced blockchain analytics tools that can detect transaction trails through mixers and tumblers, dealing with Monero and other privacy coins remains a significant challenge.
Global regulators are increasingly scrutinizing privacy coins and stablecoins. Some countries have outright banned privacy coins, while stablecoins are subjected to stricter oversight.
The transition from Bitcoin to privacy coins and stablecoins on the Dark Web is a clear trend, driven by the growing demand for anonymity and efficiency in illicit transactions. While Bitcoin still plays a role in certain crypto-related crimes, its transparency makes it less attractive to the Dark Web.
Meanwhile, Monero, Zcash, Dash, and stablecoins have become the preferred choices due to their enhanced security and privacy. This trend poses significant challenges for law enforcement agencies while driving advancements in blockchain analytics tools.
However, it also raises concerns about using cryptocurrencies in illegal activities, necessitating a balance between technological innovation and regulatory oversight to ensure transparency and security in the digital financial ecosystem.
Binance, the leading global blockchain platform, has officially unveiled the Binance Traders League, an innovative trading competition poised to become…
As we enter Q2 of 2025, the global crypto market finds itself steering a complex intersection of macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures.
BeInCrypto spoke with analysts Leena ElDeeb of 21Shares and Max Shannon of CoinShares, who offer distinct but insightful perspectives on the crypto space’s outlook for the new quarter.
Bitcoin’s Future: Bullish or Bearish?
The two analysts share a bullish outlook on Bitcoin, albeit with differing views on its short-term fluctuations. Leena ElDeeb sees the potential for Bitcoin to surpass $90,000, driven by macroeconomic factors such as a possible rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.
“February’s softer-than-expected CPI print boosted rate cut expectations. If rate cuts materialize, a wave of liquidity could reignite bullish momentum, pushing equities and Bitcoin past key resistance levels,” she told BeInCrypto.
In her view, Bitcoin could eventually hit a range between $150,000 and $200,000 by the year’s end, bolstered by growing regulatory clarity and political support, such as President Trump’s proposal for a strategic crypto reserve.
Max Shannon, on the other hand, remains more cautious about Bitcoin’s immediate future. He predicts that Bitcoin will continue to trade within a wide range of $70,000 to $90,000 in Q2, constrained by persistent tariff issues.
“The moment they [tariffs] get lifted will likely be a massive boon for the equities and crypto market,” he notes, indicating that a resolution could pave the way for Bitcoin’s next big move.
Both analysts acknowledge Ethereum’s struggles, particularly its nearly 40% drop in Q1. However, they also highlight key developments that could support a recovery in the next quarter.
ElDeeb points to Ethereum’s upcoming upgrade, the Pectra upgrade, which is expected to improve staking and network scalability.
“Ethereum’s staking is also about to be improved with the launch of Pectra. These changes are expected to boost the appeal of staking-enabled products,” she explained.
Additionally, she sees growing competition from other blockchain platforms like Solana and Sui, which are attracting retail users with faster and cheaper transactions. Despite this, ElDeeb remains optimistic about Ethereum’s long-term potential, particularly as scalability solutions begin to take effect.
Shannon is more skeptical of Ethereum’s future, specifically with its ongoing challenges in both the monetary and smart contract spaces.
“Ethereum is attempting to function both as a monetary asset, where it struggles to compete with Bitcoin, and as a smart contract platform, where it faces strong competition from Solana,” the CoinShares analyst stated.
Shannon also highlights Ethereum’s changing monetary policy and the increasing technical debt as concerns that could limit its growth in the short term.
The rise and fall of celebrity meme coins like TRUMP, MELANIA, and LIBRA were hot topics in Q1 2025. Both analysts agree that the hype around this category of tokens is unlikely to be sustained in the long run.
“The forthcoming cryptocurrency market rally is anticipated to be driven by significant advancements in decentralized finance (DeFi), particularly through innovative mechanisms that enhance token holder engagement,” she notes, citing Aave’s recent proposal to share revenue with AAVE token holders as a prime example of this trend.
On the flip side, Shannon suggests that the decline in meme coins and altcoins could be a sign of broader challenges in the altcoin market.
“The Melei controversy, pump.fun decline, and declining centralized and decentralized exchange volumes show altcoins could have a very hard time this year in my opinion,” he cautions.
As trading volumes continue to drop, Shannon forecasts that altcoins may continue to underperform.
“Even in a BTC bull run altcoins could underperform,” the analyst added.
The Road Ahead
Looking ahead to Q2 2025, both ElDeeb and Shannon anticipate continued market volatility. External macroeconomic conditions like US tariffs, interest rate decisions, and geopolitical factors will largely shape the market.
While ElDeeb maintains a generally optimistic view, predicting a recovery for both Bitcoin and Ethereum, Shannon advises caution, particularly with altcoins.
For investors, diversification remains key. ElDeeb emphasizes the value of Bitcoin’s fixed supply and decentralization, which have historically helped it recover from turbulent periods.
“We consider these market corrections as great market entry points,” she says.
Shannon, meanwhile, stressed the importance of caution in navigating the altcoin space. He added that Bitcoin could be the best bet for those seeking stability.
