After a messy licensing with MiCA, Binance says it is still talking to European Union regulators but pushing for more approvals across Asia.
Crypto exchange Binance is now trying to turn Asia into its next licensing win after its European Union push hit a wall in Greece.
The crypto exchange remains in “close talks” with EU regulators over a new license application, co-chief executive Richard Teng told Reuters at the Reuters NEXT Asia event in Singapore on Thursday:
“We are in close talk with regulators that invited us to apply (to) their regime. It’s premature, so we shan’t name which regulators, but we still continue to work very closely with EU regulators.”
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Europe Still Looks Messy
The comments came after Binance withdrew its application in Greece for a license under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (or just MiCA), the bloc’s new crypto rulebook.
Crypto companies needed approval by July 2026 to keep operating in the European Union, and Binance is now seeking authorization in another member state.
As Teng explained, the delay surprised the exchange, because the exchange submitted “a fully compliant regulation,” adding that the regulators reassured “that it will be approved.” A senior Binance executive previously told Reuters the exchange intends to stay in Europe and make a fresh push for permission to operate there.
Less Cooperation
At the same time, The Information reported on July 8 that the Justice Department had circulated an internal memo telling attorneys handling crypto cases that Binance would stop providing so-called “courtesy freezes,” though it remains unclear why officials believed that.
Binance pushed back, saying in comments to crypto media it had made no changes to how it cooperates with law enforcement.
Teng said Binance is now seeking more licenses across Asia and plans to expand its regional footprint more aggressively, adding that “a few more” approvals are coming, though no details were given.
Read more: Binance Looks for New EU Route After Greece License Bid Fails
