Binance France changes ownership following regulator warning
Former CEO Changpeng Zhao cannot be Binance's beneficiary if it wants to keep its French license.
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Former CEO Changpeng Zhao cannot be Binance's beneficiary if it wants to keep its French license.
Thecryptocurrency exchange Bybit has experienced significant growth over the pastyear and, after five years of operation, has surpassed 20 million users.However, its expansion is not as dynamic in some regions due to localregulatory challenges.
One suchexample is France, where the local financial commission, AMF, blacklisted Bybittwo years ago. Now, the national regulator issued a new warning to retailinvestors about the exchange, reminding of its lack of authorization in thispart of Europe.
The exchange itself also commented on the matter, reminding that it "proactively exited the French market in October 2023."
AMF Reminds: Bybit isBlacklisted in France
UnderFrench law, digital asset service providers (DASPs) must register with the AMFbefore offering services connected to digital assets, including operating a cryptotrading platform.
Thismandatory registration helps maintain public order though prevention of moneylaundering and terrorist financing, to verify the good repute and competence ofits directors, or even to impose specific measures to protect retail investors,the AMF stated.
Bybit,however, has not registered as a DASP and is therefore operating illegally inFrance. The AMF emphasizes that unregistered platforms providing these servicesviolate French law.
Representatives of Bybit, on the other hand, stated that they "had been working very closely with the AMF and were in the process of seeking a license." Wanting to ensure full compliance with local regulations, the company decided to exit the local market in 2023.
The AMF issued a similar warning against another well-performing cryptocurrency exchange, Bitget, over a month ago. The warning closelyresembles the one concerning Bybit.
AMF Considers LegalAction, Urges Investor Caution
In addition,the AMF reserves the right to take legal action to block the platform'swebsite in France. The regulator is urging French retail investors who haveinvested through Bybit to take necessary measures to avoid losing access totheir assets.
Allinvestors must make arrangements for the eventuality that the platform suddenlyceases to provide services to the public residing in France.
The AMFreminds investors to consult its whitelist of registered DASPs on its website before investing in cryptocurrencies or related assets.
Two monthsago, Bybit also came under scrutiny from another regulator, Hong Kong'sSecurities and Futures Commission (SFC). The SFC warned investorsabout Bybit and several of its offerings, highlighting the cryptocurrencyexchange's lack of licensing and cautioning about the risks of engaging withthe firm. The regulator flagged 11 of Bybit's products as suspiciousinvestments, raising concerns about potential risks to investors.
Second Biggest in Crypto Spot Volumes
However, the exchange appears to be performing well in other regions and continues tointroduce new features. In May, Bybit announced the launch of Bybit P2P Shield,a program designed to enhance user security and trust in its peer-to-peer (P2P)trading platform.
Additionally,Bybit has introduced a new feature to improve the user experience forcrypto purchases. By integrating Google Pay, Bybit is offering a streamlinedapproach to acquiring digital assets, signaling a shift in the landscape ofcryptocurrency transactions.
It is also worth noting that, according to the Finance Magnates Intelligence benchmark, Bybit ranked second among the largest cryptocurrency platforms in terms of spot trading volumes in April.
Bybit's volume in April 2024 reached $138 billion, a sixfold increase compared to the same month the previous year.
This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.
The Financial Markets Authority (AMF) has issued a warningto savers in France regarding investment proposals by the digital asset tradingplatform BITGET. The AMF emphasized the need for utmost vigilance, highlightingthat BITGET is not authorized to provide its services on digital assets withinFrance. As a consequence, the AMF is prepared to take legal action to block theplatform's site.
AMF Targets Unregistered Digital Asset Platforms
Under the monetary and financial code, certain activitiesrelated to digital assets, including custody services, purchase or sale ofdigital assets, and operation of digital asset trading platforms, necessitatemandatory registration as a digital asset service provider (PSAN). Thisregistration ensures compliance with regulations aimed at combating moneylaundering and terrorism financing, as well as verifying the integrity andcompetency of management and shareholders, thereby safeguarding the interestsof investors.
BITGET, however, has not obtained the required registrationas a PSAN and has been providing digital asset services in France withoutauthorization. Consequently, the platform has been on the AMF blacklist sinceNovember 7, 2023, due to non-compliance with French regulations. The AMF, empowered by the monetary and financial code,reserves the right to pursue legal action to block the site of BITGET and othersimilar platforms operating illegally in France.
Tu vas en bas sur le site de lAMF et tu tapes le nom de bitget et tu vois quils sont sur la liste noire. pic.twitter.com/N3BUqs0cmK
Adam Meursault (@Adam_Meursault) March 11, 2024AMF Advises Precautions amidst BITGET Service Disruption Concerns
In light of these developments, the AMF advised Frenchsavers who have invested through BITGET to take necessary precautions tomitigate risks associated with a potential disruption in service provision.Savers have been urged to organize their affairs to prevent any potential loss ofaccess to their assets, be they digital assets or derivatives thereof.
This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.
A subsidiary co-owned by Crédit Agricole and Santander has registered as a digital asset service provider in France. The registration of Caceis, a company that specializes in offering financial services to institutional investors, allows the two major European banks to tap into the crypto market. Crédit Agricole Asset Management Unit Obtains AMF Registration in France [...]
The post Banking Giants Crédit Agricole, Santander Seek to Provide Crypto Custody Under French Registration appeared first on Crypto Breaking News.
A “fast track” option for licensed crypto firms in France to get regulated under the upcoming Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) laws has been mulled by the country’s financial regulator. In a statement published on April 21, the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) welcomed the approval of MiCA and outlined how French regulation will proceed during [...]
The post France mulls fast-tracking registered crypto firms to new EU rules appeared first on Crypto Breaking News.
The Financial Markets Authority (AMF) in France has demanded that all non-registered crypto firms should secure licenses. News: French Financial Regulator Recommends Quick Mandatory Licensing [...]
Crypto firms in France would have to obtain mandatory licence in order to operate their business. As per a tweet by the nation’s financial markets authority [AMF], “The AMF, like the parliament, calls for an accelerated move to a regime of obligatory licensing for non-registered providers” of crypto services, its chair Barbat-Layani said at an […]
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Crypto.com has become registered as a digital asset service provider in France with authorization from both the AMF and the ACPR.
Binance, a major cryptocurrency exchange, has announced on Wednesday that Binance France had been granted a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) registration by the Autorité des marchés financiers...
Developers who create cryptocurrency-based projects are excited at the prospect of having another platform for their ideas besides the Ethereum
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Cardano investors are patiently waiting for a decentralized exchange (DEX) to drive more users to the network. Which ones are the top contenders that you should be paying attention to? Covered: What Is A DEX? Three Promising DEXs Just a couple of weeks after SundaeSwap announced that the decentralized exchange had processed its first ever […]
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COTI, a DAG-based blockhain protocol & infrastructure, today announced a partnership with Occam.fi, a decentralized launchpad for the Cardano ecosystem to explore development synergies — including the possibility of enabling users to participate in initial offerings in ADA via the OccamRazer launchpad. The strategic partnership, still in its early exploration phase, will look for opportunities […]
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France’s financial market regulator said it’s adjusting the rules for crypto companies in line with Europe’s new regulatory framework. The changes, which will enter into force next year, seek to enhance registration requirements for businesses offering certain services for digital assets like custody and trading. AMF Revamps Crypto Regulations to Enforce Stricter Registration Rules for [...]
The post French Regulator Revises Crypto Rules to Align With EU’s MiCA Law appeared first on Crypto Breaking News.
BPCEs crypto subsidiary, Hexarq, is the second banking crypto outfit to receive a nod from French regulator AMF after Société Générales Forge.
Geminis market entry comes as France has added at least 2% more crypto users over the past two years, according to the firm.
The newly discovered malware is interesting for being the first of its kind detected, but it seems to have been a trial balloon.
While buzz grows around the Middle East and Hong Kong as emerging crypto hubs, do not overlook Europe. Specifically, France is making waves as a potential digital asset safe haven. Hex Trust just secured a license to offer digital asset custody and trading services.
From Hong Kong to Europe: Hex Trust Gets a License in France
The recent regulatory turmoil in the cryptocurrency industry has led many firms from the US and Europe to start relocating, among other places, to Hong Kong. This time, however, a firm from China's special administrative region decided to move to Europe, thereby expanding its previous scope of activity.
Hex Trading, a digital asset custodian, has just obtained a license from France's Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR). As a result, it can provide its cryptocurrency services in France. Previously, the company acquired a similar license allowing it to operate in the Italian market.
"Receiving the DASP registration from a major EU Regulator is an important vote of confidence and demonstrates our commitment to Hex Trust's ongoing expansion in Europe," commented Alessio Quaglini, the CEO and Co-Founder of Hex Trust. "The EU is a key market for Hex Trust, as we see strong growth potential and prepare for the European MiCA regulation, set up to regulate the digital asset industry in the region by 2024."
The DASP registration will fully enable Hex Trust to provide the following services: digital asset custody, the purchase/sale of digital assets for legal tender, & the trading of digital assets against other digital assets.2/3
— Hex Trust (@Hex_Trust) August 2, 2023As new cryptocurrency market regulations come into force in Europe in 2023, some countries have begun to tighten their legislation and set higher requirements for digital asset industry firms. As a result, for example, Binance was forced to reduce its presence in Europe. What is more, company faces lawsuit over potentially illegal activities in france since 2022.
France, however, continues to offer favorable conditions for cryptocurrency companies, including a simplified registration process and tax cuts for companies operating in innovative industries. The Web3 sector is one of these industries.
Can France Become European Crypto Hub?
The introduction of the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA), new cryptocurrency regulations, has started to raise questions about the future of the crypto industry in Europe. However, even before the law was enacted, French authorities took steps to support the sector's development.
As part of the so-called 2030 plan, France has allocated €30 billion to develop the technology sector, including Web3. Since 2017, at least €1.3 billion has been raised in France to fund cryptocurrency projects.
Yet, France may encounter many foreign competitors on its way to become a crypto hub. Hong Kong has changed local laws for this purpose, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently issued a record number of licenses.
This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.World Crypto Global opens the door to digital freedom for everyone.
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