Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has chosen Greece as its regulatory hub for its EU operations ahead of the European Union’s new crypto regulations.
According to Finance Feeds, Binance co-CEO Richard Teng announced that the exchange applied to the regulatory authority in Greece last month.
The application aims to obtain an operating license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
The MiCA regulation mandates that crypto companies obtain licenses by July 2026. Companies without licenses will not be able to operate within the EU.
Teng stated that the MiCA license offers a standard framework across Europe, and therefore many factors such as workforce quality, talent pool, and security are considered when selecting an operations center. It was reported that Greece is seen as a suitable base within the EU’s enlargement strategy.
On the other hand, Teng also touched upon the sharp fluctuations experienced in the crypto market over the past year. Noting that Bitcoin has fallen by approximately 50% from its peak of $126,000 in October last year, Teng stated that individual investor interest has weakened, but institutional participation has remained stable. “Smart money, institutional capital, and long-term funds continue to enter the market,” Teng said, emphasizing that regulatory clarity will strengthen the sector in the long term.
*This is not investment advice.