Binance, the largest crypto exchange in terms of trading volume, has withdrawn its bid for a collective investment fund applied with the financial market regulator in Abu Dhabi. The decision came as, according to Binance, it is reassessing its “global licensing needs.
As seen on the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) register, Binance’s local subsidiary, BV Investment Management Limited, applied for the license on 15 November 2022 and withdrew the application on 7 November 2023. The license would have enabled the exchange to offer services to professional clients.
Notably, during those decisions, Changpeng Zhao was still heading Binance as the CEO. Zhao stepped down last month, following his plea agreement with the US prosecutors, handing over the charge to Richard Teng, who previously led the exchange’s regional operations and is also a former regulatory executive.
“When assessing our global licensing needs, we decided this application was not necessary,” a spokesperson from Binance said in a statement circulated across media houses. “Abu Dhabi has emerged as a leader in the virtual and digital assets ecosystem, a global hub that encourages innovation and responsible growth, while diligently guarding user interests.”
A screenshot of ADGM’s license registry showing status of Binance’s subsidiary
An Exchange Still Without Headquarters
Binance started to operate as a crypto exchange in 2017. It was first based in China and then moved to Japan to escape the Chinese government’s crackdown on crypto exchanges. The exchange later found a base in Malta but maintained its status as a company without any headquarters.
Although the initial growth of the exchange was aggressive, it started to receive regulatory warnings and enforcement actions in many jurisdictions. Most recently, the exchange settled with the US federal prosecutor, paying $4.3 billion for anti-money laundering and sanctions laws violations.
The exchange once highlighted its focus on growing its operations in the Middle East, a relatively crypto-friendly region with specific laws. According to its website, it holds other crypto licenses from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Bahrain regulators. It further holds registrations and licenses in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the globe. Meanwhile, it agreed to completely exit the United States as a part of its settlement agreement.
Binance, the largest crypto exchange in terms of trading volume, has withdrawn its bid for a collective…
