For years, DigiByte (DGB) was conspicuously absent from Binance—the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange—despite its robust blockchain foundation and dedicated community. That changed on May 22, when Binance finally launched trading pairs for DGB/BTC, DGB/BNB, and DGB/BUSD. The timing raised eyebrows: the listing came just days after Jared Tate, DigiByte’s outspoken founder, announced his sudden departure from the project—a move that reignited speculation about long-standing tensions between Tate and centralized exchanges, particularly Binance.
Was this a strategic reconciliation? Or merely a coincidence? Let’s dive into the history, the controversies, and what this listing means for DigiByte’s future.
The Long Road to Binance
DigiByte is an open-source blockchain platform inspired by Bitcoin, launched in 2014 by Jared Tate. It stands out for its multi-algorithm mining approach—using SHA256, Scrypt, Skein, Qubit, and Odocrypt—which enhances network security by preventing mining centralization. With ultra-low transaction fees and fast confirmation times, DigiByte has positioned itself as a scalable digital payment solution.
Yet despite its technical merits and a top-40 market cap ranking, DigiByte remained excluded from Binance for nearly a decade. During that time, Binance listed numerous lower-market-cap tokens, many with weaker fundamentals, fueling community frustration and suspicion.
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The official Binance announcement confirmed DGB’s addition to its ecosystem, marking a significant milestone. But the timing—shortly after Tate’s resignation—has led many to wonder: Was DigiByte’s exclusion personal rather than technical?
Jared Tate vs. Centralized Exchanges
Jared Tate has been one of the most vocal critics of centralized exchange practices since 2017. His skepticism wasn’t limited to Binance; he frequently called out what he described as unethical behaviors across the industry, including paid listings, wash trading, and market manipulation.
In 2018, Tate took to Twitter to accuse Binance of monetizing listings under the guise of charity:
“Binance will now donate 100% of the bribes they receive (for listing fees) to their newly created charity division. I guess it’s located across from the ‘Pump & Dump’ department and next to the ‘Wash Trading’ team.”
This sharp rhetoric didn’t go unnoticed. Later, in 2019, Tate claimed that during discussions with Binance about listing DGB, the exchange demanded $300,000 in cash and 3% of the total DGB supply as “insurance” against potential security flaws or hacks—an allegation Binance never publicly confirmed.
CZ (Changpeng Zhao), CEO of Binance, responded dismissively on social media:
“I feel like he really doesn’t want DGB listed on Binance. Not worth spending time on this person. There are more interesting things in life.”
The public feud escalated further in December 2019 when Tate targeted both CZ and TRON founder Justin Sun, stating:
“Sick of the BS in this industry. I can’t spend eight years sitting around watching blockchain technology hijacked by con artists like CZ and Justin Sun.”
These statements cemented Tate’s image as a purist—committed to decentralization but increasingly at odds with the commercial realities of the crypto economy.
A Strategic Shift or Symbolic Closure?
Tate officially stepped down in May 2025, citing burnout and disillusionment with the greed-driven nature of the crypto space. In his farewell message, he reflected:
“The crypto industry is being corroded by greed. What I’ve learned over eight years is that greed is the primary motivator for most users—90% just want to cash out during pumps. Many individuals and organizations have made millions from DGB but gave nothing back to help grow the ecosystem.”
While he emphasized he wasn’t leaving forever, his exit created space for a fresh start—one seemingly unburdened by past conflicts.
With Tate no longer at the helm, Binance’s decision to list DGB appears less contentious. Whether this was a prerequisite for listing or simply a fortunate alignment of timing remains unclear. However, the market reacted positively: DGB surged 29.41% immediately after the announcement, and has gained over 340% since January 2025, trading at $0.022 with a market cap ranking of #34.
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Where Does DigiByte Stand Today?
Among the top 35 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, only a handful aren’t available on Binance. These include:
- BSV – Delisted due to controversy surrounding Craig Wright’s claims of being Satoshi Nakamoto.
- LEO – Bitfinex’s native token.
- HT – Huobi’s exchange token.
- OKB – OKX’s utility token.
- COMP – Governance token for Compound.
- HEDG – Token for HedgeTrade, a social trading platform.
DigiByte’s inclusion now places it among major peers like Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano in terms of exchange accessibility—a crucial factor for liquidity and mainstream adoption.
Its multi-algorithm mining model continues to attract privacy-focused users and developers interested in anti-centralization mechanisms. Moreover, DigiByte has been exploring real-world use cases in supply chain tracking and identity verification through its Digi-ID authentication system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why was DigiByte not listed on Binance earlier?
A: While Binance hasn’t given an official reason, many believe the delay was influenced by Jared Tate’s public criticism of centralized exchanges and alleged disputes over listing terms.
Q: Did Jared Tate’s resignation lead to the Binance listing?
A: There's no direct confirmation, but the close timing suggests that his departure may have removed a key obstacle to negotiations.
Q: Is DGB a good investment now?
A: DGB has shown strong momentum post-listing, but like all cryptocurrencies, it carries high volatility. Investors should conduct thorough research and assess risk tolerance before investing.
Q: How does DigiByte differ from Bitcoin?
A: While based on Bitcoin’s code, DigiByte uses five mining algorithms (vs. Bitcoin’s one), offers faster block times (15 seconds vs. 10 minutes), and focuses on scalability and security through decentralization.
Q: Can I stake DGB on Binance?
A: Currently, Binance supports spot trading for DGB. Staking or earning options may be added later depending on demand and platform updates.
Q: What are the risks of holding DGB?
A: Risks include market volatility, regulatory uncertainty, competition from other Layer 1 blockchains, and reliance on community development post-founder exit.
Final Thoughts
The story of DigiByte and Binance is more than just a listing update—it reflects deeper tensions within the crypto ecosystem between ideological purity and pragmatic growth. Jared Tate championed decentralization and transparency, often clashing with the profit-driven models of major exchanges. His departure may signal a new chapter for DigiByte—one focused less on confrontation and more on integration.
For investors, developers, and enthusiasts alike, DGB’s arrival on Binance opens new doors: improved liquidity, broader visibility, and enhanced credibility. Whether this marks a turning point for long-term adoption or a short-lived pump remains to be seen.
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One thing is certain: in crypto, timing is everything—and sometimes, leaving makes room for re-entry.