Binance, a major cryptocurrency exchange, has criticized the unclear regulations surrounding crypto in the United States and urged the country to follow Europe's lead in providing clearer rules. Speaking at the Financial Times' Crypto and Digital Assets Summit in London, Binance's Chief Strategy Officer, Patrick Hillman, said the enforcement of crypto regulations in the US has been confusing, making it difficult for Binance to operate in the country. Hillman suggested that regulators should change the direction they have been going in and learn from what Europe has done, citing the European Union's Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework as an example. MiCA has been praised by Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao for introducing tailored regulations to protect users and support innovation.
During an event, Binance's Hillman expressed a strong interest in getting regulated in the UK, despite the country no longer being a part of the EU and the new MiCA rules. He stated that the company is willing to do everything possible to be regulated under UK law.
Similarly, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong had also hinted at moving its operations abroad to avoid regulatory uncertainty in the US. In a speech held in the UK, Armstrong said that "anything is on the table," including relocation, and revealed that he would have chosen the London Stock Exchange over New York if given the option. He believes that regulations in the UK are easier to navigate since the country has a single regulator responsible for both securities and commodities, unlike the US.
The move towards UK regulation by Binance and Coinbase signals a growing trend among crypto companies looking for more clarity and certainty in the regulatory landscape. With the UK having a single regulator overseeing both securities and commodities, it offers a potentially more straightforward path for companies looking to operate within a regulated environment.
However, there are still challenges to be faced, with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently cracking down on crypto derivatives trading and warning investors about the risks involved with crypto investments. Additionally, with Brexit, there may be uncertainty around how UK regulations will be affected in the long term.
Nonetheless, Binance and Coinbase's interest in the UK suggests that the country may be positioning itself as a major player in the crypto industry, and could attract other companies looking for a regulatory home.
