Binance Targets EU, UK Traders With New Fiat-to-Crypto Exchange

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by adjusted trading volume, has launched a new fiat-to-crypto exchange on the island of Jersey, a British self-governing dependency.

The firm announced Wednesday that, through the new exchange, users are able to trade in pairs for bitcoin and ethereum against the British pound and the euro in Europe and the U.K.

“Binance selected Jersey for its highly developed digital infrastructure, robust regulatory framework, and world-class financial services sector,” the exchange’s chief financial officer, Wei Zhou, told CoinDesk.

He further clarified that Binance Jersey is an independent entity from its parent Binance.com, a crypto-to-crypto exchange, but is built using the same technology.

Binance Jersey is “hiring and will continue to hire” staff for different functions, including compliance, Wei said.

The exchange has been working with government-backed economic development agency Digital Jersey to develop the exchange, with the aim being to create around 40 jobs on the island.

Binance first partnered with the agency in June 2018. Changpeng Zhao, Binance CEO had said at the time, “With its local economy based on a major currency (GBP), and its close proximity to the U.K. and western Europe, we are confident the cooperation with Jersey will not only benefit the local economy, but also form a strong operational foundation for our expansion into the rest of Europe.”

Changpeng Zhao image via CoinDesk archives