Binance Expands into EU with Greece as Regulatory Base
Binance, a leading player in the cryptocurrency market, has made a strategic decision to base its European Union regulatory authorization in Greece. This move is part of the company's efforts to expand its presence in Europe while adhering to stricter regulatory standards.
Under the MiCA framework, Binance will operate under standardized EU license requirements by July 2026. The company's choice of Greece may raise questions about its strategic reasoning, given the country's limited track record in crypto licensing. However, co-CEO Richard Teng cited various factors such as talent availability, safety, and broader social and economic conditions as key considerations.
Binance continues to navigate legacy legal challenges tied to its founder, Changpeng Zhao, who pleaded guilty to violating US anti-money laundering laws. The company maintains its primary regulatory headquarters in Abu Dhabi and aims to become the 'most regulated' cryptocurrency exchange globally.