Other-News
By Pankaj K
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Binance wants Greece badly. The crypto giant filed paperwork with Greek regulators last week, hoping to snag a MiCA license that would unlock all 27 EU countries for business…
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The move comes as Europe's new crypto rules take shape. MiCA - short for Markets in Crypto-Assets - goes live across the continent in 2024, and exchanges need proper licenses to…
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The Mediterranean nation has been crypto-friendly compared to other EU members, making it an obvious choice for Binance's European headquarters.
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But getting approved won't be easy. Binance has baggage - lots of it. Regulators in the UK, Netherlands, and Germany have all taken shots at the exchange over anti-money…
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MiCA's January 2025 deadline for crypto asset service providers is approaching, though some sources suggest the timeline might slip to mid-2025.
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Other big players are watching closely. Coinbase filed similar paperwork in Ireland last month, while Kraken is reportedly considering Malta as its MiCA base.
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Greek regulators aren't talking yet. The country's financial watchdog declined to comment on Binance's application, citing confidentiality rules around ongoing reviews.
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The European Central Bank is keeping tabs too. An ECB spokesperson said on January 20 that while MiCA creates uniform standards, each country can add its own requirements.
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Binance's recent numbers probably help its case. The exchange reported trading volumes jumped 20% in Q4 2025, reaching $2.1 trillion for the quarter.
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The European Parliament is watching too. Members of the economic committee said Binance's application could set precedents for other crypto firms seeking MiCA licenses.
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Binance's CFO Wei Zhou said the Greece strategy isn't just about regulatory boxes. Speaking at a crypto conference in Dubai last week, Zhou said Greece offers access to "one of…
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The company is also planning community outreach in Athens. Binance announced plans for educational workshops starting in February, aimed at teaching Greeks about cryptocurrency…
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Meanwhile, Germany is considering tighter crypto rules that could affect Binance's European plans.
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Binance's compliance team has been working overtime preparing the Greek application. The company hired former European banking regulators and added new anti-money laundering…
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The stakes extend beyond just Binance. Success in Greece could trigger a wave of similar applications from other major exchanges, potentially making Europe a key battleground for…
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