Binance suspends new UK customer sign-ups in wake of regulatory crackdown

Category: Crypto Europe

Posted by Lea Hogg Posted: Oct 18, 2023

In a change of strategy, Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has decided to halt the acceptance of new customers from the United Kingdom. The move came in response to regulatory actions by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which recently obstructed Binance’s efforts to market its services to British consumers. The abrupt policy change took effect less than an hour after Binance’s surprise announcement.

UK’s stringent crypto advertising standards

The FCA’s decision to block Binance’s marketing and sales plans aligns with the UK’s commitment to enforcing some of the world’s strictest standards for cryptocurrency advertising.

These standards aim to protect consumers, particularly in the wake of last year’s volatile digital asset market and the collapse of companies like FTX. The rules are not limited to UK-based entities. In fact they apply to all firms, domestic and foreign – and any violation could lead to substantial fines or even imprisonment. In the first week following the implementation of these regulations, the FCA issued over 150 alerts about unauthorized crypto promotions.

Binance’s ongoing regulatory challenges

Binance’s encounter with UK regulators has been marked by ongoing challenges.

In 2021, the FCA ordered Binance to cease all regulated activities in the UK due to unanswered inquiries. The exchange had previously joined forces with Rebuildingsociety.com to promote crypto services in the UK. However, the FCA’s recent ruling barred this Leeds-based company from advertising crypto services, effectively preventing Binance from marketing its services in the United Kingdom.

Binance has now expressed its commitment to engaging with an FCA-authorized firm to comply with financial promotion regulations.

As the dust settles on Binance’s decision to stop accepting new UK customers, existing clients will continue to enjoy uninterrupted access to the exchange’s services. However, the exchange will temporarily refrain from introducing new products and services to the UK market, even if the campaigns are being rolled out globally.

Journey with UK regulators

Binance’s journey with UK regulators has been fraught with hurdles, but it remains a significant player in the global cryptocurrency arena.

Despite these regulatory challenges, Binance has expressed its intentions to pursue regulatory compliance in the UK. As the company faces legal actions from US regulatory bodies and experiences a decline in its market share, it continues to steer forward in a rapidly evolving cryptocurrency market.

Binance’s share of the crypto market declined to 34 percent recently, indicating the need for the exchange to adapt and evolve in response to ongoing regulatory pressures and market dynamics.

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