diff --git a/internal/metric/global/meter.go b/internal/metric/global/meter.go
index b88fbb13aad..07158d8789d 100644
--- a/internal/metric/global/meter.go
+++ b/internal/metric/global/meter.go
@@ -41,10 +41,6 @@ import (
 // in the MeterProvider and Meters ensure that each instrument has a delegate
 // before the global provider is set.
 //
-// Bound instrument operations are implemented by delegating to the
-// instrument after it is registered, with a sync.Once initializer to
-// protect against races with Release().
-//
 // Metric uniqueness checking is implemented by calling the exported
 // methods of the api/metric/registry package.
 
@@ -108,19 +104,9 @@ type AsyncImpler interface {
 	AsyncImpl() sdkapi.AsyncImpl
 }
 
-type syncHandle struct {
-	delegate unsafe.Pointer // (*sdkapi.BoundInstrumentImpl)
-
-	inst   *syncImpl
-	labels []attribute.KeyValue
-
-	initialize sync.Once
-}
-
 var _ metric.MeterProvider = &meterProvider{}
 var _ sdkapi.MeterImpl = &meterImpl{}
 var _ sdkapi.InstrumentImpl = &syncImpl{}
-var _ sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl = &syncHandle{}
 var _ sdkapi.AsyncImpl = &asyncImpl{}
 
 func (inst *instrument) Descriptor() sdkapi.Descriptor {
@@ -241,28 +227,6 @@ func (inst *syncImpl) Implementation() interface{} {
 	return inst
 }
 
-func (inst *syncImpl) Bind(labels []attribute.KeyValue) sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl {
-	if implPtr := (*sdkapi.SyncImpl)(atomic.LoadPointer(&inst.delegate)); implPtr != nil {
-		return (*implPtr).Bind(labels)
-	}
-	return &syncHandle{
-		inst:   inst,
-		labels: labels,
-	}
-}
-
-func (bound *syncHandle) Unbind() {
-	bound.initialize.Do(func() {})
-
-	implPtr := (*sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl)(atomic.LoadPointer(&bound.delegate))
-
-	if implPtr == nil {
-		return
-	}
-
-	(*implPtr).Unbind()
-}
-
 // Async delegation
 
 func (m *meterImpl) NewAsyncInstrument(
@@ -325,37 +289,11 @@ func (inst *syncImpl) RecordOne(ctx context.Context, number number.Number, label
 	}
 }
 
-// Bound instrument initialization
-
-func (bound *syncHandle) RecordOne(ctx context.Context, number number.Number) {
-	instPtr := (*sdkapi.SyncImpl)(atomic.LoadPointer(&bound.inst.delegate))
-	if instPtr == nil {
-		return
-	}
-	var implPtr *sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl
-	bound.initialize.Do(func() {
-		implPtr = new(sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl)
-		*implPtr = (*instPtr).Bind(bound.labels)
-		atomic.StorePointer(&bound.delegate, unsafe.Pointer(implPtr))
-	})
-	if implPtr == nil {
-		implPtr = (*sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl)(atomic.LoadPointer(&bound.delegate))
-	}
-	// This may still be nil if instrument was created and bound
-	// without a delegate, then the instrument was set to have a
-	// delegate and unbound.
-	if implPtr == nil {
-		return
-	}
-	(*implPtr).RecordOne(ctx, number)
-}
-
 func AtomicFieldOffsets() map[string]uintptr {
 	return map[string]uintptr{
 		"meterProvider.delegate": unsafe.Offsetof(meterProvider{}.delegate),
 		"meterImpl.delegate":     unsafe.Offsetof(meterImpl{}.delegate),
 		"syncImpl.delegate":      unsafe.Offsetof(syncImpl{}.delegate),
 		"asyncImpl.delegate":     unsafe.Offsetof(asyncImpl{}.delegate),
-		"syncHandle.delegate":    unsafe.Offsetof(syncHandle{}.delegate),
 	}
 }
diff --git a/internal/metric/global/meter_test.go b/internal/metric/global/meter_test.go
index 1cfcac669e4..2062ecf8b07 100644
--- a/internal/metric/global/meter_test.go
+++ b/internal/metric/global/meter_test.go
@@ -137,97 +137,6 @@ func TestDirect(t *testing.T) {
 	)
 }
 
-func TestBound(t *testing.T) {
-	global.ResetForTest()
-
-	// Note: this test uses opposite Float64/Int64 number kinds
-	// vs. the above, to cover all the instruments.
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	glob := metricglobal.Meter(
-		"test",
-		metric.WithInstrumentationVersion("semver:test-1.0"),
-		metric.WithSchemaURL("schema://url"),
-	)
-	labels1 := []attribute.KeyValue{attribute.String("A", "B")}
-
-	counter := Must(glob).NewFloat64Counter("test.counter")
-	boundC := counter.Bind(labels1...)
-	boundC.Add(ctx, 1)
-	boundC.Add(ctx, 1)
-
-	histogram := Must(glob).NewInt64Histogram("test.histogram")
-	boundM := histogram.Bind(labels1...)
-	boundM.Record(ctx, 1)
-	boundM.Record(ctx, 2)
-
-	provider := metrictest.NewMeterProvider()
-	metricglobal.SetMeterProvider(provider)
-
-	boundC.Add(ctx, 1)
-	boundM.Record(ctx, 3)
-
-	library := metrictest.Library{
-		InstrumentationName:    "test",
-		InstrumentationVersion: "semver:test-1.0",
-		SchemaURL:              "schema://url",
-	}
-
-	require.EqualValues(t,
-		[]metrictest.Measured{
-			{
-				Name:    "test.counter",
-				Library: library,
-				Labels:  metrictest.LabelsToMap(labels1...),
-				Number:  asFloat(1),
-			},
-			{
-				Name:    "test.histogram",
-				Library: library,
-				Labels:  metrictest.LabelsToMap(labels1...),
-				Number:  asInt(3),
-			},
-		},
-		metrictest.AsStructs(provider.MeasurementBatches))
-
-	boundC.Unbind()
-	boundM.Unbind()
-}
-
-func TestUnbind(t *testing.T) {
-	// Tests Unbind with SDK never installed.
-	global.ResetForTest()
-
-	glob := metricglobal.Meter("test")
-	labels1 := []attribute.KeyValue{attribute.String("A", "B")}
-
-	counter := Must(glob).NewFloat64Counter("test.counter")
-	boundC := counter.Bind(labels1...)
-
-	histogram := Must(glob).NewInt64Histogram("test.histogram")
-	boundM := histogram.Bind(labels1...)
-
-	boundC.Unbind()
-	boundM.Unbind()
-}
-
-func TestUnbindThenRecordOne(t *testing.T) {
-	global.ResetForTest()
-
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	provider := metrictest.NewMeterProvider()
-
-	meter := metricglobal.Meter("test")
-	counter := Must(meter).NewInt64Counter("test.counter")
-	boundC := counter.Bind()
-	metricglobal.SetMeterProvider(provider)
-	boundC.Unbind()
-
-	require.NotPanics(t, func() {
-		boundC.Add(ctx, 1)
-	})
-	require.Equal(t, 0, len(provider.MeasurementBatches))
-}
-
 type meterProviderWithConstructorError struct {
 	metric.MeterProvider
 }
diff --git a/metric/metric_instrument.go b/metric/metric_instrument.go
index 23baede16fe..2da24c8f211 100644
--- a/metric/metric_instrument.go
+++ b/metric/metric_instrument.go
@@ -260,11 +260,6 @@ type syncInstrument struct {
 	instrument sdkapi.SyncImpl
 }
 
-// syncBoundInstrument contains a BoundSyncImpl.
-type syncBoundInstrument struct {
-	boundInstrument sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl
-}
-
 // asyncInstrument contains a AsyncImpl.
 type asyncInstrument struct {
 	instrument sdkapi.AsyncImpl
@@ -280,10 +275,6 @@ func (s syncInstrument) SyncImpl() sdkapi.SyncImpl {
 	return s.instrument
 }
 
-func (s syncInstrument) bind(labels []attribute.KeyValue) syncBoundInstrument {
-	return newSyncBoundInstrument(s.instrument.Bind(labels))
-}
-
 func (s syncInstrument) float64Measurement(value float64) Measurement {
 	return sdkapi.NewMeasurement(s.instrument, number.NewFloat64Number(value))
 }
@@ -296,15 +287,6 @@ func (s syncInstrument) directRecord(ctx context.Context, number number.Number,
 	s.instrument.RecordOne(ctx, number, labels)
 }
 
-func (h syncBoundInstrument) directRecord(ctx context.Context, number number.Number) {
-	h.boundInstrument.RecordOne(ctx, number)
-}
-
-// Unbind calls SyncImpl.Unbind.
-func (h syncBoundInstrument) Unbind() {
-	h.boundInstrument.Unbind()
-}
-
 // checkNewAsync receives an AsyncImpl and potential
 // error, and returns the same types, checking for and ensuring that
 // the returned interface is not nil.
@@ -340,12 +322,6 @@ func checkNewSync(instrument sdkapi.SyncImpl, err error) (syncInstrument, error)
 	}, err
 }
 
-func newSyncBoundInstrument(boundInstrument sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl) syncBoundInstrument {
-	return syncBoundInstrument{
-		boundInstrument: boundInstrument,
-	}
-}
-
 // wrapInt64CounterInstrument converts a SyncImpl into Int64Counter.
 func wrapInt64CounterInstrument(syncInst sdkapi.SyncImpl, err error) (Int64Counter, error) {
 	common, err := checkNewSync(syncInst, err)
@@ -392,34 +368,6 @@ type Int64Counter struct {
 	syncInstrument
 }
 
-// BoundFloat64Counter is a bound instrument for Float64Counter.
-//
-// It inherits the Unbind function from syncBoundInstrument.
-type BoundFloat64Counter struct {
-	syncBoundInstrument
-}
-
-// BoundInt64Counter is a boundInstrument for Int64Counter.
-//
-// It inherits the Unbind function from syncBoundInstrument.
-type BoundInt64Counter struct {
-	syncBoundInstrument
-}
-
-// Bind creates a bound instrument for this counter. The labels are
-// associated with values recorded via subsequent calls to Record.
-func (c Float64Counter) Bind(labels ...attribute.KeyValue) (h BoundFloat64Counter) {
-	h.syncBoundInstrument = c.bind(labels)
-	return
-}
-
-// Bind creates a bound instrument for this counter. The labels are
-// associated with values recorded via subsequent calls to Record.
-func (c Int64Counter) Bind(labels ...attribute.KeyValue) (h BoundInt64Counter) {
-	h.syncBoundInstrument = c.bind(labels)
-	return
-}
-
 // Measurement creates a Measurement object to use with batch
 // recording.
 func (c Float64Counter) Measurement(value float64) Measurement {
@@ -444,18 +392,6 @@ func (c Int64Counter) Add(ctx context.Context, value int64, labels ...attribute.
 	c.directRecord(ctx, number.NewInt64Number(value), labels)
 }
 
-// Add adds the value to the counter's sum using the labels
-// previously bound to this counter via Bind()
-func (b BoundFloat64Counter) Add(ctx context.Context, value float64) {
-	b.directRecord(ctx, number.NewFloat64Number(value))
-}
-
-// Add adds the value to the counter's sum using the labels
-// previously bound to this counter via Bind()
-func (b BoundInt64Counter) Add(ctx context.Context, value int64) {
-	b.directRecord(ctx, number.NewInt64Number(value))
-}
-
 // Float64UpDownCounter is a metric instrument that sums floating
 // point values.
 type Float64UpDownCounter struct {
@@ -467,34 +403,6 @@ type Int64UpDownCounter struct {
 	syncInstrument
 }
 
-// BoundFloat64UpDownCounter is a bound instrument for Float64UpDownCounter.
-//
-// It inherits the Unbind function from syncBoundInstrument.
-type BoundFloat64UpDownCounter struct {
-	syncBoundInstrument
-}
-
-// BoundInt64UpDownCounter is a boundInstrument for Int64UpDownCounter.
-//
-// It inherits the Unbind function from syncBoundInstrument.
-type BoundInt64UpDownCounter struct {
-	syncBoundInstrument
-}
-
-// Bind creates a bound instrument for this counter. The labels are
-// associated with values recorded via subsequent calls to Record.
-func (c Float64UpDownCounter) Bind(labels ...attribute.KeyValue) (h BoundFloat64UpDownCounter) {
-	h.syncBoundInstrument = c.bind(labels)
-	return
-}
-
-// Bind creates a bound instrument for this counter. The labels are
-// associated with values recorded via subsequent calls to Record.
-func (c Int64UpDownCounter) Bind(labels ...attribute.KeyValue) (h BoundInt64UpDownCounter) {
-	h.syncBoundInstrument = c.bind(labels)
-	return
-}
-
 // Measurement creates a Measurement object to use with batch
 // recording.
 func (c Float64UpDownCounter) Measurement(value float64) Measurement {
@@ -519,18 +427,6 @@ func (c Int64UpDownCounter) Add(ctx context.Context, value int64, labels ...attr
 	c.directRecord(ctx, number.NewInt64Number(value), labels)
 }
 
-// Add adds the value to the counter's sum using the labels
-// previously bound to this counter via Bind()
-func (b BoundFloat64UpDownCounter) Add(ctx context.Context, value float64) {
-	b.directRecord(ctx, number.NewFloat64Number(value))
-}
-
-// Add adds the value to the counter's sum using the labels
-// previously bound to this counter via Bind()
-func (b BoundInt64UpDownCounter) Add(ctx context.Context, value int64) {
-	b.directRecord(ctx, number.NewInt64Number(value))
-}
-
 // Float64Histogram is a metric that records float64 values.
 type Float64Histogram struct {
 	syncInstrument
@@ -541,34 +437,6 @@ type Int64Histogram struct {
 	syncInstrument
 }
 
-// BoundFloat64Histogram is a bound instrument for Float64Histogram.
-//
-// It inherits the Unbind function from syncBoundInstrument.
-type BoundFloat64Histogram struct {
-	syncBoundInstrument
-}
-
-// BoundInt64Histogram is a bound instrument for Int64Histogram.
-//
-// It inherits the Unbind function from syncBoundInstrument.
-type BoundInt64Histogram struct {
-	syncBoundInstrument
-}
-
-// Bind creates a bound instrument for this Histogram. The labels are
-// associated with values recorded via subsequent calls to Record.
-func (c Float64Histogram) Bind(labels ...attribute.KeyValue) (h BoundFloat64Histogram) {
-	h.syncBoundInstrument = c.bind(labels)
-	return
-}
-
-// Bind creates a bound instrument for this Histogram. The labels are
-// associated with values recorded via subsequent calls to Record.
-func (c Int64Histogram) Bind(labels ...attribute.KeyValue) (h BoundInt64Histogram) {
-	h.syncBoundInstrument = c.bind(labels)
-	return
-}
-
 // Measurement creates a Measurement object to use with batch
 // recording.
 func (c Float64Histogram) Measurement(value float64) Measurement {
@@ -594,15 +462,3 @@ func (c Float64Histogram) Record(ctx context.Context, value float64, labels ...a
 func (c Int64Histogram) Record(ctx context.Context, value int64, labels ...attribute.KeyValue) {
 	c.directRecord(ctx, number.NewInt64Number(value), labels)
 }
-
-// Record adds a new value to the Histogram's distribution using the labels
-// previously bound to the Histogram via Bind().
-func (b BoundFloat64Histogram) Record(ctx context.Context, value float64) {
-	b.directRecord(ctx, number.NewFloat64Number(value))
-}
-
-// Record adds a new value to the Histogram's distribution using the labels
-// previously bound to the Histogram via Bind().
-func (b BoundInt64Histogram) Record(ctx context.Context, value int64) {
-	b.directRecord(ctx, number.NewInt64Number(value))
-}
diff --git a/metric/metric_test.go b/metric/metric_test.go
index 9118cb18774..987805a25a6 100644
--- a/metric/metric_test.go
+++ b/metric/metric_test.go
@@ -250,11 +250,9 @@ func TestCounter(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := context.Background()
 		labels := []attribute.KeyValue{attribute.String("A", "B")}
 		c.Add(ctx, 1994.1, labels...)
-		boundInstrument := c.Bind(labels...)
-		boundInstrument.Add(ctx, -742)
 		meter.RecordBatch(ctx, labels, c.Measurement(42))
 		checkSyncBatches(ctx, t, labels, provider, number.Float64Kind, sdkapi.CounterInstrumentKind, c.SyncImpl(),
-			1994.1, -742, 42,
+			1994.1, 42,
 		)
 	})
 	t.Run("int64 counter", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -263,11 +261,9 @@ func TestCounter(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := context.Background()
 		labels := []attribute.KeyValue{attribute.String("A", "B"), attribute.String("C", "D")}
 		c.Add(ctx, 42, labels...)
-		boundInstrument := c.Bind(labels...)
-		boundInstrument.Add(ctx, 4200)
 		meter.RecordBatch(ctx, labels, c.Measurement(420000))
 		checkSyncBatches(ctx, t, labels, provider, number.Int64Kind, sdkapi.CounterInstrumentKind, c.SyncImpl(),
-			42, 4200, 420000,
+			42, 420000,
 		)
 
 	})
@@ -277,11 +273,9 @@ func TestCounter(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := context.Background()
 		labels := []attribute.KeyValue{attribute.String("A", "B"), attribute.String("C", "D")}
 		c.Add(ctx, 100, labels...)
-		boundInstrument := c.Bind(labels...)
-		boundInstrument.Add(ctx, -100)
 		meter.RecordBatch(ctx, labels, c.Measurement(42))
 		checkSyncBatches(ctx, t, labels, provider, number.Int64Kind, sdkapi.UpDownCounterInstrumentKind, c.SyncImpl(),
-			100, -100, 42,
+			100, 42,
 		)
 	})
 	t.Run("float64 updowncounter", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -290,11 +284,9 @@ func TestCounter(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := context.Background()
 		labels := []attribute.KeyValue{attribute.String("A", "B"), attribute.String("C", "D")}
 		c.Add(ctx, 100.1, labels...)
-		boundInstrument := c.Bind(labels...)
-		boundInstrument.Add(ctx, -76)
 		meter.RecordBatch(ctx, labels, c.Measurement(-100.1))
 		checkSyncBatches(ctx, t, labels, provider, number.Float64Kind, sdkapi.UpDownCounterInstrumentKind, c.SyncImpl(),
-			100.1, -76, -100.1,
+			100.1, -100.1,
 		)
 	})
 }
@@ -306,11 +298,9 @@ func TestHistogram(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := context.Background()
 		labels := []attribute.KeyValue{}
 		m.Record(ctx, 42, labels...)
-		boundInstrument := m.Bind(labels...)
-		boundInstrument.Record(ctx, 0)
 		meter.RecordBatch(ctx, labels, m.Measurement(-100.5))
 		checkSyncBatches(ctx, t, labels, provider, number.Float64Kind, sdkapi.HistogramInstrumentKind, m.SyncImpl(),
-			42, 0, -100.5,
+			42, -100.5,
 		)
 	})
 	t.Run("int64 histogram", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -319,11 +309,9 @@ func TestHistogram(t *testing.T) {
 		ctx := context.Background()
 		labels := []attribute.KeyValue{attribute.Int("I", 1)}
 		m.Record(ctx, 173, labels...)
-		boundInstrument := m.Bind(labels...)
-		boundInstrument.Record(ctx, 80)
 		meter.RecordBatch(ctx, labels, m.Measurement(0))
 		checkSyncBatches(ctx, t, labels, provider, number.Int64Kind, sdkapi.HistogramInstrumentKind, m.SyncImpl(),
-			173, 80, 0,
+			173, 0,
 		)
 	})
 }
diff --git a/metric/metrictest/meter.go b/metric/metrictest/meter.go
index 46808b35f0f..759bb04baec 100644
--- a/metric/metrictest/meter.go
+++ b/metric/metrictest/meter.go
@@ -86,10 +86,9 @@ type (
 )
 
 var (
-	_ sdkapi.SyncImpl      = &Sync{}
-	_ sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl = &Handle{}
-	_ sdkapi.MeterImpl     = &MeterImpl{}
-	_ sdkapi.AsyncImpl     = &Async{}
+	_ sdkapi.SyncImpl  = &Sync{}
+	_ sdkapi.MeterImpl = &MeterImpl{}
+	_ sdkapi.AsyncImpl = &Async{}
 )
 
 // NewDescriptor is a test helper for constructing test metric
@@ -111,13 +110,6 @@ func (s *Sync) Implementation() interface{} {
 	return s
 }
 
-func (s *Sync) Bind(labels []attribute.KeyValue) sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl {
-	return &Handle{
-		Instrument: s,
-		Labels:     labels,
-	}
-}
-
 func (s *Sync) RecordOne(ctx context.Context, number number.Number, labels []attribute.KeyValue) {
 	s.meter.doRecordSingle(ctx, labels, s, number)
 }
diff --git a/metric/sdkapi/noop.go b/metric/sdkapi/noop.go
index c5bf5452f02..0fe61f9b3f6 100644
--- a/metric/sdkapi/noop.go
+++ b/metric/sdkapi/noop.go
@@ -22,12 +22,10 @@ import (
 )
 
 type noopInstrument struct{}
-type noopBoundInstrument struct{}
 type noopSyncInstrument struct{ noopInstrument }
 type noopAsyncInstrument struct{ noopInstrument }
 
 var _ SyncImpl = noopSyncInstrument{}
-var _ BoundSyncImpl = noopBoundInstrument{}
 var _ AsyncImpl = noopAsyncInstrument{}
 
 // NewNoopSyncInstrument returns a No-op implementation of the
@@ -50,15 +48,5 @@ func (noopInstrument) Descriptor() Descriptor {
 	return Descriptor{}
 }
 
-func (noopBoundInstrument) RecordOne(context.Context, number.Number) {
-}
-
-func (noopBoundInstrument) Unbind() {
-}
-
-func (noopSyncInstrument) Bind([]attribute.KeyValue) BoundSyncImpl {
-	return noopBoundInstrument{}
-}
-
 func (noopSyncInstrument) RecordOne(context.Context, number.Number, []attribute.KeyValue) {
 }
diff --git a/metric/sdkapi/sdkapi.go b/metric/sdkapi/sdkapi.go
index 2653dddef67..43a20efc946 100644
--- a/metric/sdkapi/sdkapi.go
+++ b/metric/sdkapi/sdkapi.go
@@ -58,26 +58,10 @@ type InstrumentImpl interface {
 type SyncImpl interface {
 	InstrumentImpl
 
-	// Bind creates an implementation-level bound instrument,
-	// binding a label set with this instrument implementation.
-	Bind(labels []attribute.KeyValue) BoundSyncImpl
-
 	// RecordOne captures a single synchronous metric event.
 	RecordOne(ctx context.Context, number number.Number, labels []attribute.KeyValue)
 }
 
-// BoundSyncImpl is the implementation-level interface to a
-// generic bound synchronous instrument
-type BoundSyncImpl interface {
-
-	// RecordOne captures a single synchronous metric event.
-	RecordOne(ctx context.Context, number number.Number)
-
-	// Unbind frees the resources associated with this bound instrument. It
-	// does not affect the metric this bound instrument was created through.
-	Unbind()
-}
-
 // AsyncImpl is an implementation-level interface to an
 // asynchronous instrument (e.g., Observer instruments).
 type AsyncImpl interface {
diff --git a/sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go b/sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go
index f7eacae962c..b4c6cf49fa0 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/benchmark_test.go
@@ -123,50 +123,6 @@ func BenchmarkInt64CounterAddWithLabels_16(b *testing.B) {
 // Note: performance does not depend on label set size for the
 // benchmarks below--all are benchmarked for a single attribute.
 
-func BenchmarkAcquireNewHandle(b *testing.B) {
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-	labelSets := makeManyLabels(b.N)
-	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.sum")
-
-	b.ResetTimer()
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		cnt.Bind(labelSets[i]...)
-	}
-}
-
-func BenchmarkAcquireExistingHandle(b *testing.B) {
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-	labelSets := makeManyLabels(b.N)
-	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.sum")
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		cnt.Bind(labelSets[i]...).Unbind()
-	}
-
-	b.ResetTimer()
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		cnt.Bind(labelSets[i]...)
-	}
-}
-
-func BenchmarkAcquireReleaseExistingHandle(b *testing.B) {
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-	labelSets := makeManyLabels(b.N)
-	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.sum")
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		cnt.Bind(labelSets[i]...).Unbind()
-	}
-
-	b.ResetTimer()
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		cnt.Bind(labelSets[i]...).Unbind()
-	}
-}
-
 // Iterators
 
 var benchmarkIteratorVar attribute.KeyValue
@@ -241,20 +197,6 @@ func BenchmarkInt64CounterAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkInt64CounterHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Counter("int64.sum")
-	handle := cnt.Bind(labs...)
-
-	b.ResetTimer()
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		handle.Add(ctx, 1)
-	}
-}
-
 func BenchmarkFloat64CounterAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
@@ -268,20 +210,6 @@ func BenchmarkFloat64CounterAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkFloat64CounterHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	cnt := fix.meterMust().NewFloat64Counter("float64.sum")
-	handle := cnt.Bind(labs...)
-
-	b.ResetTimer()
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		handle.Add(ctx, 1.1)
-	}
-}
-
 // LastValue
 
 func BenchmarkInt64LastValueAdd(b *testing.B) {
@@ -297,20 +225,6 @@ func BenchmarkInt64LastValueAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkInt64LastValueHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Histogram("int64.lastvalue")
-	handle := mea.Bind(labs...)
-
-	b.ResetTimer()
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		handle.Record(ctx, int64(i))
-	}
-}
-
 func BenchmarkFloat64LastValueAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
@@ -324,20 +238,6 @@ func BenchmarkFloat64LastValueAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	}
 }
 
-func BenchmarkFloat64LastValueHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meterMust().NewFloat64Histogram("float64.lastvalue")
-	handle := mea.Bind(labs...)
-
-	b.ResetTimer()
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		handle.Record(ctx, float64(i))
-	}
-}
-
 // Histograms
 
 func benchmarkInt64HistogramAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
@@ -353,20 +253,6 @@ func benchmarkInt64HistogramAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
 	}
 }
 
-func benchmarkInt64HistogramHandleAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meterMust().NewInt64Histogram(name)
-	handle := mea.Bind(labs...)
-
-	b.ResetTimer()
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		handle.Record(ctx, int64(i))
-	}
-}
-
 func benchmarkFloat64HistogramAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	fix := newFixture(b)
@@ -380,20 +266,6 @@ func benchmarkFloat64HistogramAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
 	}
 }
 
-func benchmarkFloat64HistogramHandleAdd(b *testing.B, name string) {
-	ctx := context.Background()
-	fix := newFixture(b)
-	labs := makeLabels(1)
-	mea := fix.meterMust().NewFloat64Histogram(name)
-	handle := mea.Bind(labs...)
-
-	b.ResetTimer()
-
-	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		handle.Record(ctx, float64(i))
-	}
-}
-
 // Observers
 
 func BenchmarkObserverRegistration(b *testing.B) {
@@ -447,36 +319,20 @@ func BenchmarkInt64MaxSumCountAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	benchmarkInt64HistogramAdd(b, "int64.minmaxsumcount")
 }
 
-func BenchmarkInt64MaxSumCountHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
-	benchmarkInt64HistogramHandleAdd(b, "int64.minmaxsumcount")
-}
-
 func BenchmarkFloat64MaxSumCountAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	benchmarkFloat64HistogramAdd(b, "float64.minmaxsumcount")
 }
 
-func BenchmarkFloat64MaxSumCountHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
-	benchmarkFloat64HistogramHandleAdd(b, "float64.minmaxsumcount")
-}
-
 // Exact
 
 func BenchmarkInt64ExactAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	benchmarkInt64HistogramAdd(b, "int64.exact")
 }
 
-func BenchmarkInt64ExactHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
-	benchmarkInt64HistogramHandleAdd(b, "int64.exact")
-}
-
 func BenchmarkFloat64ExactAdd(b *testing.B) {
 	benchmarkFloat64HistogramAdd(b, "float64.exact")
 }
 
-func BenchmarkFloat64ExactHandleAdd(b *testing.B) {
-	benchmarkFloat64HistogramHandleAdd(b, "float64.exact")
-}
-
 // BatchRecord
 
 func benchmarkBatchRecord8Labels(b *testing.B, numInst int) {
diff --git a/sdk/metric/correct_test.go b/sdk/metric/correct_test.go
index 773a99de0a5..be0cae54bf1 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/correct_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/correct_test.go
@@ -483,16 +483,14 @@ func TestRecordPersistence(t *testing.T) {
 	meter, sdk, selector, _ := newSDK(t)
 
 	c := Must(meter).NewFloat64Counter("name.sum")
-	b := c.Bind(attribute.String("bound", "true"))
 	uk := attribute.String("bound", "false")
 
 	for i := 0; i < 100; i++ {
 		c.Add(ctx, 1, uk)
-		b.Add(ctx, 1)
 		sdk.Collect(ctx)
 	}
 
-	require.Equal(t, 4, selector.newAggCount)
+	require.Equal(t, 2, selector.newAggCount)
 }
 
 func TestIncorrectInstruments(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/sdk/metric/doc.go b/sdk/metric/doc.go
index 35d0fa55447..752c3db85c0 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/doc.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/doc.go
@@ -28,9 +28,7 @@ and asynchronous instruments.  There are two constructors per instrument for
 the two kinds of number (int64, float64).
 
 Synchronous instruments are managed by a sync.Map containing a *record
-with the current state for each synchronous instrument.  A bound
-instrument encapsulates a direct pointer to the record, allowing
-bound metric events to bypass a sync.Map lookup.  A lock-free
+with the current state for each synchronous instrument.  A lock-free
 algorithm is used to protect against races when adding and removing
 items from the sync.Map.
 
@@ -45,7 +43,7 @@ record contains a set of recorders for every specific label set used in the
 callback.
 
 A sync.Map maintains the mapping of current instruments and label sets to
-internal records.  To create a new bound instrument, the SDK consults the Map to
+internal records.  To find a record, the SDK consults the Map to
 locate an existing record, otherwise it constructs a new record.  The SDK
 maintains a count of the number of references to each record, ensuring
 that records are not reclaimed from the Map while they are still active
diff --git a/sdk/metric/sdk.go b/sdk/metric/sdk.go
index 60f0f798944..998e31f6fa6 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/sdk.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/sdk.go
@@ -138,10 +138,9 @@ type (
 )
 
 var (
-	_ sdkapi.MeterImpl     = &Accumulator{}
-	_ sdkapi.AsyncImpl     = &asyncInstrument{}
-	_ sdkapi.SyncImpl      = &syncInstrument{}
-	_ sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl = &record{}
+	_ sdkapi.MeterImpl = &Accumulator{}
+	_ sdkapi.AsyncImpl = &asyncInstrument{}
+	_ sdkapi.SyncImpl  = &syncInstrument{}
 
 	// ErrUninitializedInstrument is returned when an instrument is used when uninitialized.
 	ErrUninitializedInstrument = fmt.Errorf("use of an uninitialized instrument")
@@ -279,15 +278,10 @@ func (s *syncInstrument) acquireHandle(kvs []attribute.KeyValue, labelPtr *attri
 	}
 }
 
-// The order of the input array `kvs` may be sorted after the function is called.
-func (s *syncInstrument) Bind(kvs []attribute.KeyValue) sdkapi.BoundSyncImpl {
-	return s.acquireHandle(kvs, nil)
-}
-
 // The order of the input array `kvs` may be sorted after the function is called.
 func (s *syncInstrument) RecordOne(ctx context.Context, num number.Number, kvs []attribute.KeyValue) {
 	h := s.acquireHandle(kvs, nil)
-	defer h.Unbind()
+	defer h.unbind()
 	h.RecordOne(ctx, num)
 }
 
@@ -490,7 +484,7 @@ func (m *Accumulator) RecordBatch(ctx context.Context, kvs []attribute.KeyValue,
 			labelsPtr = h.labels
 		}
 
-		defer h.Unbind()
+		defer h.unbind()
 		h.RecordOne(ctx, meas.Number())
 	}
 }
@@ -514,8 +508,7 @@ func (r *record) RecordOne(ctx context.Context, num number.Number) {
 	atomic.AddInt64(&r.updateCount, 1)
 }
 
-// Unbind implements sdkapi.SyncImpl.
-func (r *record) Unbind() {
+func (r *record) unbind() {
 	r.refMapped.unref()
 }