They have it, as long as no one tries to withdraw it

I assume they would say it regardless

Yeah, and anyone who had their crypto there will move elsewhere, then Binance has -12b

I have absolutely no insight into their financials, but yeah, their incentives point entirely to saying the funds are safe, regardless of if they actually are or not. Either they are indeed safe, and it eases panic, or Binance folds, and lying didn't matter. It's do or die for them right now.