Cryptocurrency exchange giant, Binance, has applied for an operating license in Singapore which continues to lure new players following the recent progressive developments in its regulatory regime.
Founded in 2017, Binance experienced extremely rapid growth before achieving an estimated market cap of $1.3 billion by early January 2018. The Malta-headquartered exchange now has offices located globally including in Singapore where it is backed by Temasek’s venture capital arm Vertex Venture.
Whilst initially focused only on crypto-to-crypto trading platforms, which allowed Binance to grow without dealing with banks and regulators, the firm began to focus on the development of formal exchanges in jurisdictions with a relevant regulatory regime like Singapore.
«We have already applied,» said Binance co-founder and CEO Zhao Changpeng in a «Business Times» report. «We submitted the application pretty fast. Binance's Singapore entity has been in close touch with the local regulators, and they have always been open-minded.»
Payment Services Act
Last month, Singapore introduced the Payment Services Act which will formally regulate companies engaging in activities ranging from digital payments to the trading of tokens like Bitcoin or Ether. In addition to an expanded regime, the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s supervisory powers were also enlarged to cover cybersecurity risks and controls on money laundering and terrorism financing from such activities.
Greater clarity for businesses through explicit regulation was expected to be a key driver for new entrants. Other reported applicants thus far include Tokyo-based crypto exchange operator Liquid Group Inc and London-based Luno.
