BINANCE.US REQUEST FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER AGAINST SEC GOES TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Last updated: June 19, 2025, 18:25 | Written by: Jesse Powell

Binance.us Request For Protective Order Against Sec Goes To Magistrate Judge
Binance.us Request For Protective Order Against Sec Goes To Magistrate Judge

The legal battle between Binance and the U.S. A federal judge overseeing the civil case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and cryptocurrency exchange Binance, Binance.USSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to unfold, with the latest development seeing Binance.US's request for a protective order being referred to a magistrate judge. A federal judge overseeing the civil case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and cryptocurrency exchange Binance, Binance.US and Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has ordered a motion for a protective order to go to a magistrate judge. In an Aug. 16 filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of ColumbiaThis move signifies a crucial juncture in the discovery phase of the ongoing civil case, where Binance.US aims to shield itself from what it perceives as an overly broad and burdensome information request from the SEC.At the heart of the matter is Binance.US’s claim that the SEC is engaging in a ""fishing expedition,"" seeking an excessive amount of information that goes beyond the scope of the initial complaint.This legal maneuvering highlights the increasing tensions between cryptocurrency exchanges and regulatory bodies, as the SEC seeks to assert its authority over the digital asset space. A federal judge overseeing the civil case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and cryptocurrency exchange Binance, Binance.US and Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has ordered a motion for a protective order to go to a magistrate judge.The referral to Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui suggests that a compromise is likely, but the ultimate outcome could significantly impact the future of Binance.US and the broader cryptocurrency industry in the United States. A federal judge overseeing the civil case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and cryptocurrency exchange Binance, Binance.US request for protective order against SEC goes to magistrate judge - Index Investing NewsA hearing is scheduled for September to address Motion 95, the Protective Order, and Motion 102, which seeks to compel.

Understanding the Protective Order Request

A protective order is a legal mechanism designed to protect a party in a lawsuit from unreasonable or oppressive discovery requests. Menu. Home; Bitcoin Chart; Cryptocurrency News; Cryptocurrency Software; Privacy PolicyIn essence, it allows a court to limit the scope of discovery to prevent abuse and ensure that the information sought is relevant to the issues at hand. In the latest development in the ongoing legal saga between Binance and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui has set a hearing date for two pivotal motions. The hearing, scheduled for Septem, at 1:00 PM ET, will address Motion 95, the Protective Order, and Motion 102, which seeks to compelBinance.US filed its motion for a protective order on August 14th, arguing that the SEC's demands for information were excessively broad, unduly burdensome, and not proportional to the needs of the case.

The core argument behind Binance.US's request is that the SEC is attempting to conduct a ""fishing expedition,"" which refers to a situation where a party uses discovery to try to uncover evidence of wrongdoing without a reasonable basis for believing that such evidence exists. The legal team for Binance.US filed a motion for a protective order on Aug. 14, claiming it was necessary to Binance.US request for protective order against SEC goes to magistrate judge - XBT.Market Market Cap: $2,245,206,024,376.92Binance.US contends that the SEC's information requests are not focused on specific allegations of misconduct but rather seek a vast amount of data with the hope of finding something incriminating.This can be incredibly costly and time-consuming for the company, diverting resources away from its core business operations.

For example, let's say the SEC is investigating whether Binance.US properly disclosed the risks associated with a particular cryptocurrency.A reasonable discovery request might seek documents related to the marketing materials used to promote that cryptocurrency or internal communications discussing its risk profile. Crypto exchange Binance late on Monday filed for a protective court order against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, saying the regulator's requests for information were over broad andHowever, an excessively broad request might demand all communications related to every cryptocurrency listed on Binance.US, regardless of whether there is any connection to the specific allegations.This is the kind of ""fishing expedition"" that Binance.US is trying to prevent.

The Role of the Magistrate Judge

In this case, Judge Amy Berman Jackson referred the motion for a protective order to Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui.Magistrate judges play a vital role in the federal court system, handling a variety of pretrial matters, including discovery disputes. Binance.US request for protective order against SEC goes to magistrate judgeThey are often tasked with reviewing motions, conducting hearings, and issuing recommendations to the district judge, who ultimately makes the final decision.The decision by Judge Jackson to refer the protective order to a magistrate judge suggests that the court believes a compromise is possible. The legal team for Binance.US filed a motion for a protective order on Aug. 14, claiming it was necessary to protect the firm from the SEC s fishing expedition during discovery.Magistrate judges are often skilled at mediating disputes and finding common ground between parties.

Why Refer to a Magistrate Judge?

  • Efficiency: Magistrate judges can handle discovery disputes more efficiently than district judges, allowing the latter to focus on more complex legal issues.
  • Expertise: Magistrate judges often have specialized knowledge of discovery rules and procedures, making them well-suited to resolve these types of disputes.
  • Impartiality: Magistrate judges are neutral arbiters who can objectively assess the merits of each party's arguments.

The magistrate judge will carefully review the SEC's information requests and Binance.US's objections, taking into account factors such as the relevance of the information sought, the burden on Binance.US to produce the information, and the potential prejudice to Binance.US if the information is disclosed. A federal judge overseeing the civil case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and cryptocurrency exchange Binance, Crypto Trading PlatformAfter considering these factors, the magistrate judge will issue a recommendation to the district judge, who will then decide whether to grant, deny, or modify the protective order.

Key Motions Under Scrutiny: Motion 95 and Motion 102

The hearing scheduled for September will specifically address two crucial motions: Motion 95, which pertains directly to the Protective Order sought by Binance.US, and Motion 102, which is the SEC's motion to compel Binance.US to provide the requested information.These two motions are intrinsically linked; the outcome of one will inevitably influence the other.

  • Motion 95 (Protective Order): As discussed, this motion represents Binance.US's attempt to limit the scope of the SEC's discovery requests.Success here would mean the SEC would be restricted in the type and amount of information it can demand from Binance.US.
  • Motion 102 (Motion to Compel): This is the SEC's counter-move, urging the court to order Binance.US to comply with its information requests. The legal team for Binance.US filed a motion for a protective order on Aug. 14, claiming it was necessary to protect the firm from the SEC s fishing expedition during discovery. ContinueA favorable ruling for the SEC would force Binance.US to hand over the data the SEC is seeking, potentially revealing sensitive information about the exchange's operations.

The magistrate judge will carefully weigh the arguments presented by both sides during the hearing.They will consider whether the SEC's requests are genuinely necessary to its investigation or whether they are indeed overly broad and intrusive, as Binance.US claims. Crypto News. Cointelegraph. Binance.US request for protective order against SEC goes to magistrate judgeThe judge will also assess the potential harm to Binance.US if it is forced to comply with the SEC's demands. Former SEC chief John Reed Stark s prediction that Judge Jackson will refer Binance s motion for a protective order to Magistrate Judge Faruqui for resolution comes out true. Stark believes the Judge will order Binance to provide most of what the SEC requests. However, the judge may eliminate some duplicative or obviously overly broad requests.This harm could include the disclosure of trade secrets, the disruption of business operations, or reputational damage.

Potential Outcomes and Implications

There are several possible outcomes to this legal battle, each with significant implications for Binance.US and the wider cryptocurrency industry.

Scenario 1: Protective Order Granted in Full

If the magistrate judge recommends, and the district judge agrees, to grant the protective order in full, Binance.US would be largely shielded from the SEC's information requests.This would be a major victory for Binance.US, allowing it to avoid the burden of producing vast amounts of data and potentially protecting sensitive information from disclosure.

However, this scenario could also hinder the SEC's investigation, potentially delaying or even preventing the agency from pursuing its case against Binance.The SEC might appeal the decision, prolonging the legal battle and increasing the uncertainty surrounding Binance.US's future.

Scenario 2: Protective Order Denied

If the protective order is denied, Binance.US would be forced to comply with the SEC's information requests.This would be a significant setback for Binance.US, potentially exposing it to further scrutiny and enforcement actions. The move by Judge Amy Berman Jackson to refer the protective order to a magistrate judge suggests that the fact-finding dispute will likely end in a compromise. Read this to learn more about Binance s stance on the SEC s fact-finding efforts: Binance.US Seeks to Prevent SEC from Deposing Top Execs. Polygon is making big splashes in South Korea.The company would be required to dedicate significant resources to gathering and producing the requested data, which could be costly and time-consuming.

Furthermore, the disclosure of sensitive information could damage Binance.US's reputation and erode trust among its users.It could also embolden the SEC to pursue more aggressive enforcement actions against other cryptocurrency exchanges.

Scenario 3: Compromise and Modification of the Protective Order

The most likely outcome is a compromise, where the magistrate judge recommends, and the district judge agrees, to modify the protective order, striking a balance between the SEC's need for information and Binance.US's concerns about the burden and scope of the requests. A federal judge overseeing the civil case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and cryptocurrency exchange Binance, Binance.US, and Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has ordered a motion for a protective order to go to a magistrate judge.This could involve narrowing the scope of the information sought, limiting the time period covered by the requests, or imposing restrictions on how the SEC can use the information it obtains.

A compromise would likely be the least disruptive outcome for both parties, allowing the SEC to continue its investigation while mitigating the burden on Binance.US. The legal team for Binance.US filed a motion for a protective order on Aug. 14, claiming it was necessary to protect the firm from the SEC s fishing expedition during discovery. A federal judge overseeing the civil case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and cryptocurrency exchange Binance, Binance.US and Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has ordered a motionHowever, it would also require both sides to make concessions and could still result in the disclosure of some sensitive information.

The Broader Implications for the Cryptocurrency Industry

The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for the cryptocurrency industry as a whole.The SEC has been increasingly active in regulating the digital asset space, and its enforcement actions against Binance and other exchanges signal a clear intention to assert its authority.

If the SEC is successful in obtaining the information it seeks from Binance.US, it could use that information to build a stronger case against the exchange and potentially pursue similar actions against other cryptocurrency companies.This could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and compliance costs for the industry, which could stifle innovation and drive some businesses offshore.

On the other hand, if Binance.US is successful in limiting the SEC's access to information, it could embolden other cryptocurrency companies to resist the agency's demands and challenge its authority. A federal judge overseeing the civil case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and cryptocurrency exchange BinanceThis could lead to a protracted legal battle that could ultimately determine the future of cryptocurrency regulation in the United States.

Former SEC Chief's Prediction

Adding another layer of intrigue to the situation, former SEC chief John Reed Stark has weighed in with his prediction. Binance.US request for protective order against SEC goes to magistrate judge . The legal team for Binance.US filed a motion for a protective order on Aug. 14, claiming it was necessary to protect the firm from the SEC s fishing expedition during discovery. 341 Total views 3 Total shares Listen to articleStark anticipates that Judge Jackson will indeed refer Binance.US's motion for a protective order to Magistrate Judge Faruqui for resolution, a prediction that has now come to fruition.Furthermore, Stark believes that the judge will likely order Binance.US to provide most of the information requested by the SEC, while potentially eliminating some duplicative or overly broad requests. Following an Aug. 16 order from Judge Amy Berman Jackson, Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui will likely rule on a motion from Binance.US in regard to a protective order against the SEC.This forecast suggests a leaning towards a compromise scenario, as discussed earlier.

Stark's experience and insights as a former SEC official lend significant weight to his prediction. The Federal judge presiding over the civil case between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Binance's entities has decided to refer the matter to the magistrate court. The legal matter is part of the recent development where Binance.US, the American arm of the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has initiated a legal battleHis perspective suggests that the court is likely to recognize the SEC's legitimate need for information in order to conduct its investigation, while also acknowledging the potential for overreach and the need to protect Binance.US from unduly burdensome requests.This balanced approach aligns with the likely compromise scenario, where the magistrate judge will attempt to find a middle ground that satisfies both parties.

Binance.US's Stance: Preventing a ""Fishing Expedition""

Binance.US has consistently maintained that the SEC's information requests amount to a ""fishing expedition,"" and this assertion forms the core of its argument for a protective order.The company believes that the SEC is not focusing on specific instances of alleged wrongdoing but is instead casting a wide net in the hope of uncovering something incriminating.This approach, Binance.US argues, is not only unfair but also unduly burdensome and disruptive to its business operations.

To bolster its argument, Binance.US likely points to the sheer volume and breadth of the SEC's information requests.It might argue that the SEC is demanding data that is not directly relevant to the specific allegations in the complaint or that the requests are overly broad in terms of the time period covered or the types of information sought.For example, Binance.US might argue that the SEC is demanding access to internal communications that are unrelated to the alleged securities violations or that the SEC is seeking data on all of its customers, even those who are not involved in the transactions under investigation.

By framing the SEC's requests as a ""fishing expedition,"" Binance.US aims to persuade the court that the requests are unreasonable and oppressive and that a protective order is necessary to protect the company from abuse.This strategy is a common one in discovery disputes, as parties often seek to limit the scope of discovery by arguing that the opposing party is seeking information that is not relevant or proportional to the needs of the case.

Polygon's South Korean Expansion: A Distraction?

While the legal battle with the SEC consumes much of Binance.US's attention, other developments are unfolding in the cryptocurrency world.Notably, Polygon, a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, is making significant strides in South Korea.While seemingly unrelated, such news can serve as a reminder of the dynamic and competitive landscape in which Binance.US operates.

Polygon's expansion into South Korea highlights the ongoing innovation and growth within the cryptocurrency industry.It also underscores the importance of regulatory clarity and a supportive legal environment for fostering innovation.As Binance.US navigates its legal challenges with the SEC, it must also remain focused on its core business objectives and continue to adapt to the evolving needs of the market.

Whether Polygon's South Korean expansion is a distraction or a source of inspiration for Binance.US remains to be seen.However, it serves as a reminder that the cryptocurrency industry is constantly evolving and that companies must remain agile and adaptable to succeed in the long run.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Binance.US and Crypto Regulation

The referral of Binance.US's request for a protective order to a magistrate judge marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal saga between the cryptocurrency exchange and the SEC.The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications not only for Binance.US but also for the broader cryptocurrency industry in the United States.The core question revolves around the scope of the SEC's authority to demand information from cryptocurrency companies and the extent to which those companies are entitled to protection from overly broad or burdensome requests.As the legal battle unfolds, it is essential for industry participants and observers alike to pay close attention to the arguments presented by both sides and the decisions ultimately rendered by the court.

The key takeaways from this situation are:

  • Binance.US is fighting to limit the SEC's discovery requests, claiming they are an overly broad ""fishing expedition.""
  • The magistrate judge will play a crucial role in mediating the dispute and recommending a resolution to the district judge.
  • The outcome could range from a full granting of the protective order to a denial, with a compromise being the most likely scenario.
  • The decision will have significant implications for the future of cryptocurrency regulation in the United States.

The next step is for Binance.US and the SEC to present their arguments to the magistrate judge.The judge will then review the evidence and issue a recommendation to the district judge, who will ultimately decide whether to grant, deny, or modify the protective order.This process could take several weeks or even months, and the final outcome remains uncertain.Stay informed about this developing story as it unfolds, as it will undoubtedly shape the future of cryptocurrency regulation and the role of exchanges like Binance.US in the digital asset ecosystem.Consider following legal experts and cryptocurrency news outlets for ongoing analysis and updates.Also, be aware of how regulations affect your own cryptocurrency investments.

Jesse Powell can be reached at [email protected].

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