SEC requests a pause in legal battle with Binance as the agency adapts a crypto-friendly stance

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking to pause its high-profile lawsuit against the cryptocurrency exchange Binance as the regulator tries to present itself as more crypto-friendly under a new administration. Binance and the SEC filed a joint motion Monday asking for a 60-day stay in a lawsuit the regulator filed with significant fanfare two years ago under its previous chairman, Gary Gensler. Monday’s filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said the SEC approached Binance asking for the pause.