Binance has been listing only a small share of new token projects. CEX listings for new tokens are relatively small compared to their total supply, according to recent research.
Centralized exchanges only distribute a relatively small part of newly listed tokens. In 2025, Binance received criticism for potentially increasing selling pressure, suggesting the token allocation was too big.
Recent research showed most new token listings distributed around 5% of their supply through a centralized exchange, with under 1% for larger projects. Centralized exchanges have also tried to be more transparent on their available supply of new tokens.
Binance received relatively small token allocations
Binance is the venue for some of the high-profile listings in 2025. The exchange is chosen more often, as BNB Chain is one of the main venues for new tokens. Roughly 40% of newly listed tokens are on BNB Chain, competing with Ethereum and Solana.
As a result, Binance has revealed that most projects allocate 5% of their supply for liquidity and airdrops during the CEX listing process. Projects with a higher fully diluted value (FDV) often allocate under 1% of the token supply. Mid-tier projects allocate more, to boost user incentives and encourage trading.
Some projects allocate additional tokens to market makers, based on external agreements. The token allocations are not a fee to the exchange, and are not retained. Instead, the CEX allocations flow back into user accounts, wallets, or are used to create ecosystem programs.
Token allocations then go toward launchpools, rewards, airdrops, liquidity programs, as well as token marketing. Allocations were also scrutinized, as most new token launches crashed in 2025, erasing over 85% of their value.
Binance became more transparent with token listings
In 2025, Binance also introduced a more transparent listing approach. The market differentiated Binance Alpha, Futures, and Direct Spot markets, with goals and criteria to move between stages.
Some of the new tokens also launch on DEXs, reflecting a different set of price pressures. DEX trading has also led to uncontrolled selling, as well as direct involvement of whales and insiders.
Overall, the low confidence in altcoins and tokens has led to crashes for most newly listed assets, whether centralized or decentralized. Despite this, Binance has supported multiple tokens in 2025, boosting liquidity and exposure.
Binance Launchpool tokens mostly logged losses, though the exchange gave exposure to multiple projects in 2025. | Source: Bubblescanner.
Binance Alpha Spotlight tokens have produced outsized gains, at least in the short term. The listing feature also had the largest number of tokens available in the past year.
Binance has also used its Launchpad, Launchpool, HODLer airdrop and wallet facilities, though with a much lower number of tokens in the past year.
