The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has dismissed its civil lawsuit against Binance and founder Changpeng Zhao with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled. Filed in 2023, the lawsuit accused Binance of trading manipulation and offering unregistered crypto securities. The dismissal reflects a regulatory shift under President Trump’s administration, contrasting with prior stricter oversight. Binance previously paid $4.32 billion in a criminal settlement, and Zhao served four months in prison. The SEC clarified the dismissal was a policy choice, not precedent. This move, alongside dropping a similar case against Coinbase, signals a softer regulatory tone toward crypto firms.