The memecoin debate is back in the spotlight after Changpeng Zhao explained why the BNB chain did not join the “PUMP” trend like Solana.
In a podcast with ThreadGuy, CZ emphasized that the differences are not just strategy, but timing, regulation and risk.
Why BNB stayed away from ‘PUMP’
CZ admitted that if a PUMP-style platform had been launched on the BNB chain during the memecoin boom, it would have come under serious scrutiny. At that time, Binance was already facing lawsuits and pressure from the US SEC.
“If that had happened to us, we would have been in serious trouble,” he said, explaining why Binance could not afford to take that risk while regulators were closely watching utility tokens.
Also read: Hyperliquid trading volume reaches levels comparable to Binance in less than a year.
Solana’s meme boom comes at the right time
CZ noted that Solana’s memecoin surge occurred after the recovery following the FTX collapse. During that period, utility tokens were classified and classified as securities under the U.S. regulatory environment.
“So every chain is different. What I understand about Salona is, uh, it started out as a couple with FTX, then FTX fell apart, and the Salona people were really hurt and made a phenomenal comeback, but they succeeded.”
However, Memecoin has avoided this issue by publicly claiming that it has no utility or intrinsic value. This has allowed platforms like PUMP to thrive as traders resort to fast-paced, high-risk activities without the same legal challenges.
He also added that many players in Solana have stopped worrying about regulation, which has pushed the ecosystem into a more speculative and pump-driven phase.
Also Read: Binance Coin (BNB) Price Prediction 2026, 2027 – 2030: Will BNB Price Reach $2000?
BNB Chain Focused on Utility First
While Solana relies on memecoins, the BNB chain focuses on utility and liquidity. The ecosystem includes multiple layers such as the BNB Smart Chain and Layer 2 solutions to support smart contracts and a wider range of use cases.
While this approach has previously meant fewer spikes due to memecoins, it has also helped BNB avoid regulatory heat during a sensitive period.
BNB activity collection
Recently, the BNB chain has started to see more memecoin activity, even overtaking Solana for a while in certain areas. Some tokens have reached high values, attracting users across the ecosystem.
But user behavior is still different. BNB users tend to hold their holdings longer, while Solana has higher trading volumes.
Not direct competition
He made it clear that blockchain is not just a head-to-head competition. Each network moved on its own terms.
While Solana attracted attention with its memecoin, the BNB chain focused on building it safely. Now, both are operating in their own ways, showing how different approaches can coexist in the market.
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