BNB, the native token of Binance, made headlines on September 18th as it crossed the $1,000 mark for the first time. The token briefly touched $1,007 before settling at $997, marking a significant milestone in its journey. This surge resulted in a 12% weekly gain and extended BNB’s year-to-date rally to over 42%, solidifying its position as one of the top-performing large-cap assets in 2025.
Founded by Binance, the largest crypto exchange by trading volume, BNB plays a crucial role in the BNB Chain ecosystem. It is utilized for paying transaction fees, participating in governance decisions, and securing the blockchain network through delegated proof-of-stake validation.
Changpeng Zhao, co-founder and former CEO of Binance, reflected on the remarkable growth of BNB from its initial coin offering price of $0.10 in 2017 to its current four-figure valuation. Zhao expressed gratitude towards the community members and long-term holders for their unwavering support, emphasizing the collective effort that propelled BNB to its current heights.
The ascent of BNB has not only marked a significant milestone for the token but has also rewarded early adopters handsomely. For instance, a wallet identified as “Diamond Hand 0x8503” acquired 999 BNB for less than $1,000 eight years ago, now worth approximately $1 million, showcasing a return of 1,000x.
Market analysts attribute BNB’s all-time high price to the broader momentum in the digital asset space following a rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Lower borrowing costs have historically fueled demand for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, pushing prices to record levels. Additionally, regulatory developments surrounding Binance and institutional interest in BNB have contributed to the token’s price surge.
Institutional adoption of BNB as a treasury reserve asset and discussions about a potential BNB-focused spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) product, with VanEck filing for a BNB fund, have further bolstered sentiment around the token.
As of the time of writing, BNB holds the fifth position by market cap, with a market capitalization of $138.24 billion and a 24-hour trading volume of $4.31 billion. The total crypto market is valued at $4.09 trillion, with a 24-hour volume of $212.65 billion and Bitcoin dominance at 57.03%.
The journey of BNB to surpassing the $1,000 mark signifies not only its growth as a token but also the resilience and dedication of the community supporting it. The future looks promising for BNB as it continues to capture the attention of both retail and institutional investors in the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape.