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Binance says it will stay in EU after Greece license bid unravels

Binance says it will stay in EU after Greece license bid unravels

Binance withdrew its MiCA application in Greece after judging the approval timeline too uncertain and said it expects to secure authorization in another EU member state in the coming months.

Fact Check
The Reuters exclusive 'Binance vows to stay in Europe despite licence setback' directly confirms all elements of the claim: Binance's intent to remain in the EU via alternative authorization routes, the one-week window before its current EU permission expires, the unravelling of the Greek licence bid, and resistance from regulators in Greece, Ireland and Latvia. The 150sec report corroborates the underlying Greece/MiCA license rejection and the July 2026 deadline context. Sourcing comes from a top-tier primary news outlet quoting Binance's head of Europe by name, making the claim highly credible.
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Summary

Binance withdrew its application for a MiCA license in Greece after concluding that the country’s approval progress and timeline warranted a cautious reassessment. The exchange said Europe remains an important market and that it expects to obtain authorization in another EU member state in the coming months, with the location to be disclosed later. The update clarifies the outcome of Binance’s licensing effort in Greece and shows the company is shifting its regulatory strategy within the European Union rather than exiting the region. Earlier comments from Gillian Lynch said Binance had no plans to leave Europe and could pursue approval in another EU jurisdiction if Greece did not work out. Reuters had reported that Binance held talks with regulators in Ireland, Latvia and Greece amid resistance linked to past money-laundering penalties, its complex international structure and what officials saw as a risk-taking culture. Lynch also said Binance had submitted only one formal application, in Greece, did not know the specific reason for any rejection, and had invested in compliance, with about 1,500 compliance staff.

Terms & Concepts
  • MiCA license: Authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, which allows crypto firms to operate within the bloc under a common rulebook.
  • compliance: A company's systems, controls and staff dedicated to meeting legal and regulatory requirements.