Binance Withdraws License Application in Austria

by Nik Asti

Published: June 27, 2023 at 7:00 am Updated: June 27, 2023 at 6:09 am

by Karolina Gaszcz

Edited and fact-checked: June 27, 2023 at 7:00 am

In Brief

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, is facing setbacks in its expansion efforts in Europe. It has recently withdrawn its license application from the Austrian financial regulator FMA.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance has withdrawn its licensing application in Austria, marking another blow to its expansion plans in Europe. The move follows allegations of undisclosed pressure from the Austrian financial supervisory authority, the Financial Market Authority (FMA).

Binance has withdrawn its license application in Austria

The news comes amidst increased scrutiny of Binance in several countries, including the U.S., where the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a lawsuit against the company. Moreover, Binance has been finding it difficult to acquire licenses across various European jurisdictions.

A year ago, the company announced its intention to enter the Austrian market and establish a subsidiary, Binance Austria GmbH, aiming to obtain a license for this entity as a “service provider in relation to virtual currencies.”

While not sharing specific details about the withdrawal, a Binance spokesperson stated that the company remains committed to complying with regulations in all jurisdictions where it operates. The spokesperson also hinted at the possibility of re-entering the European market in the future, emphasizing their focus on complying with the upcoming MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) requirements.

Binance in Europe

Presently, the exchange holds licenses in a few European countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden, and Lithuania. In a surprising move, CEX decided to retain listings for certain privacy coins for European traders, including decred, dash, zcash, PIVX, navcoin, secret, and verge, across France, Italy, Poland, and Spain.

Despite facing setbacks and dwindling spot trading market figures, Binance continues to explore other expansion opportunities. It recently expressed interest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), praising the country’s well-defined crypto regulations and supportive stance towards the cryptocurrency industry. With legal challenges from regulators in the U.S. and Europe, the regulatory environment in the UAE presents an attractive alternative for Binance.

Binance US has suspended USD deposits and is preparing to pause USD fiat withdrawals from June 13. SEC’s motion only applies to the US Binance platform.

Read more related articles:

Tags:

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, please note that the information provided on this page is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other form of advice. It is important to only invest what you can afford to lose and to seek independent financial advice if you have any doubts. For further information, we suggest referring to the terms and conditions as well as the help and support pages provided by the issuer or advertiser. MetaversePost is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice.

About The Author

Nik is an accomplished analyst and writer at Metaverse Post, specializing in delivering cutting-edge insights into the fast-paced world of technology, with a particular emphasis on AI/ML, XR, VR, on-chain analytics, and blockchain development. His articles engage and inform a diverse audience, helping them stay ahead of the technological curve. Possessing a Master's degree in Economics and Management, Nik has a solid grasp of the nuances of the business world and its intersection with emergent technologies.

Nik Asti