Binance Announces Exit from Canada, Citing Regulatory Tensions
:format(jpg)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/coindesk/dbea4a62-843f-42eb-a3e5-527b84f24c63.png)
Tracy is a deputy managing editor at CoinDesk. She owns BTC, ETH, MINA, ENS and some NFTs.
Crypto exchange Binance has announced that it would cease operations in Canada, citing the challenging regulatory environment.
“We had high hopes for the rest of the Canadian blockchain industry,” the company said in a Friday tweet. “Unfortunately, new guidance related to stablecoins and investor limits provided to crypto exchanges makes the Canada market no longer tenable for Binance at this time.”
In February, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) revealed new guidance that prohibited crypto asset trading platforms within the country from allowing customers to buy or deposit stablecoins without the CSA’s prior approval. Obtaining approval would require the crypto trading platform to pass the CSA’s various due diligence checks.
In its Friday tweet, Binance added that it did not agree with the new regulations but still hopes to work with Canadian regulators to further develop a regulatory framework around cryptocurrencies.
Over the past year, Binance has received increased scrutiny from North American regulators, and appears to be ramping down operations in the region. Earlier this year, Binance said it was considering severing ties with its U.S. business partners.
Binance co-founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao (“CZ”) is a Canadian citizen, with the company describing its exit from the country as holding “sentimental value.”
CoinDesk in late March reported Binance as likely to exit Canada even as rival Coinbase was engaged in talks to try to continue operations in that country.
Edited by Stephen Alpher.
DISCLOSURE
Please note that our
privacy policy,
terms of use,
cookies,
and
do not sell my personal information
has been updated
.
The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a
strict set of editorial policies.
CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of
Digital Currency Group,
which invests in
cryptocurrencies
and blockchain
startups.
As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of
stock appreciation rights,
which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG
.
Tracy is a deputy managing editor at CoinDesk. She owns BTC, ETH, MINA, ENS and some NFTs.
Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.
Tracy is a deputy managing editor at CoinDesk. She owns BTC, ETH, MINA, ENS and some NFTs.
