Binance’s Regulatory Setback in Singapore Shifts Attention to Middle East

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, withdrew its application for licence in Singapore due to incompetent CDD and AML protocols. Now, the regulatory setback has spurred the focus in Indonesia and the Middle East.

Earlier this year, Singapore’s central bank gave green light to offer digital payment tokens including cryptocurrencies. Analysts claimed that Singapore’s move would freeze crypto-related businesses moving to the city state. The prediction actually came true as many firms, including Huobi, the group behind China’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. 

Last week, Binance’s Singapore unit said that it has withdrawn its application for license to offer crypto services and would shut the exchange for crypto and fiat trading by mid-February. 

Zhao Changpeng, Chief Executive of Binance, said that the company’s investment into regulated exchange is making the application “somewhat redundant”.

Binance’s setback in Singapore spurs shift in focus to Indonesia, Middle East https://t.co/3RsompdO3z

— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) December 23, 2021

Reports, however, revealed that the largest cryptocurrency exchange across the globe was unable to meet Singapore’s requirement to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. 

“They thought the regulatory landscape is simple but once they started getting into it, they realised it’s very onerous. They thought it was a good idea, but now it doesn’t work for them,” said Sumit Agarwal, a professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

With Singapore’s stricter criteria, analysts said that firms may look to other Asian economies like Indonesia or choose places with lenient laws like the ones in the Middle East. 

Only three entities have been granted license to offer digital payment tokens including cryptocurrencies; DBS Vickers, Fomo Pay and Independent Reserve. Chia, from Blockchain Association Singapore, said that Binance’s retreat might damage the crypto-friendly city’s image. Nonetheless, low taxes and access to talent in Singapore is still an appeal. 

Suggested Read: MAS Rejects License Applications of 100 Crypto Exchanges for Ineffective CDD Protocols