Binance, the largest crypto exchange in the US, has listed the ESP token, opening trading for three pairs. Starting February 12, 2026, at 13:00 UTC, the token will be available on Binance for trading.
The Binance listing comes as Espresso Network transitions to a permissionless proof-of-stake blockchain, with the launch of the ESP token. The latest move also allows users to stake ESP tokens, participate in securing the network, and take part in governance.
Binance Lists ESP Token
Earlier today, Binance officially announced the listing of the Espresso token. The exchange opens trading for ESP/USDT, ESP/USDC, and ESP/TRY from today. Users can start depositing ESP tokens an hour earlier to prepare for trading. Withdrawals for the token will be available starting February 13 at the same time.
It is worth noting that the listing comes with no Binance listing fee, making it easier for the community to access the token. Espresso’s smart contracts are deployed on both Ethereum and Arbitrum networks, allowing users on either chain to participate. Additionally, 17.95 million tokens will be set aside for future marketing campaigns to support network growth and adoption.
This listing marks a major milestone for Espresso, which recently transitioned to a permissionless proof-of-stake network. This allows token holders not only to trade ESP but also to stake it to help secure the network and participate in governance. With a total supply of 3.59 billion ESP, 10% has been allocated for a community airdrop to reward early adopters and users of Espresso-integrated rollups, helping to kickstart token circulation and network engagement.
Unveiling Espresso’s Token Allocation and Purpose
As announced by the Espresso Foundation, the remaining ESP tokens are set aside for contributors, investors, future ecosystem rewards, and long-term network growth. Most of these tokens are locked under vesting schedules to ensure they are released gradually over time. Espresso Systems CEO Ben Fisch stated,
“There were various ways of determining who was eligible. The idea here is to get the token circulating among members of our extended community, but also to reward early participation and adoption of the Espresso network.”
Espresso itself functions as a coordination and finality layer for rollups, which are separate execution environments. According to CEO Ben Fisch, the network is built to support layer-2 blockchains, helping them operate more efficiently without competing with them at the execution level. Fisch added,
“Layer-2s need only one thing from a layer-1, which is finality. How well a layer-1 provides services to a layer-2 is measured in two things, how secure that blockchain and how fast it can provide finality. Unlike Ethereum, or any other existing layer-1s, it is designed for layer-2s. It doesn’t compete with L2s. It’s designed for L2s.”
This ESP token launch comes as Ethereum’s community debates the future of layer-2 networks. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently suggested that as Ethereum’s base layer becomes faster and cheaper, the network might rely less on L2 solutions like rollups.
This has sparked questions about whether layer 2 networks are just extensions of Ethereum or if they are independent blockchains. Despite this debate, Espresso is betting that demand for specialised rollups, especially from businesses and consumer platforms, will keep growing, no matter how Ethereum’s base layer evolves.
