Lynn Johannson, Advisor, Sustainability and ESG
January 4th, 2024
Lynn Johannson, President of E2 Management Corporation and Catalyst for THE Collaboration
In a care[...]
Bitcoin rises as UK financial watchdog bans Binance cryptocurrency exchange
Yahoo Finance | | Jun 28, 2021
The cryptocurrency market has shrugged off news of Britain’s financial watchdog banning one of the world’s largest Bitcoin (BTC-USD) exchanges from operating in the country.
Over the weekend the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ordered Binance Markets to remove all advertising and financial promotions by Wednesday 30 June. In one of the most significant moves by a regulator to date, the FCA said that the firm must not carry out any regulated activities in Britain without prior consent.
Binance, which was founded by Canadian-Chinese developer Changpeng Zhao, is now required to make clear on its website, social media platforms, and all other communications that it is no longer permitted to operate in the UK.
Despite the ban, Bitcoin rose more than 5% on Monday to $35,017 (£25,188), although it is still lower than at the start of the month following China’s recent crackdown on bitcoin miners.
See: Binance Under the Microscope: Former FBI Agent Discusses Possible Investigation of World’s Largest Crypto Exchange
The wider cryptocurrency market also pushed ahead, with ethereum (ETH-USD), the world’s second largest coin, up 10% as average transaction fees on the coin dropped to their lowest since December 2020. Elon Musk-favourite dogecoin (DOGE-USD) also climbed 3.4%.
According to CoinGecko, the broad crypto space was up around 8% to $1.43tn on Monday morning.
“We’re seeing the $30,000 level on bitcoin being defended quite well with a number of tests at that level over the past month,” Vijay Ayyar, head of Asia-Pacific at crypto exchange Luno Pte, told Bloomberg.
“We saw a lot of downward pressure on prices being defended, so this looks quite bullish at this point.”
It comes amid a crackdown on the cryptocurrency sector as money laundering and fraud cases rise globally. It also comes just days after the Japanese financial regulator issued a consumer warning against Binance.
US and German regulators have also raised concerns over the firm’s activities in the past.
See: FCA Speech: Levelling the playing field – innovation in the service of consumers and the market
Since the start of this year, crypto-related businesses must register with the FCA before doing business in the UK, however, most firms have been granted “temporary registration” until July. Earlier this month, the watchdog said that just five firms had registered, and that the majority were not yet compliant.
On Sunday, Binance said on Twitter: “Binance Markets 'does not offer any products or services via the Binance.com website'. The Binance Group acquired BML May 2020 and has not yet launched its UK business or used its FCA regulatory permissions.”
Binance Group is currently based in the Cayman Islands, while Binance Markets Limited is an affiliate firm based in London.
"First and foremost is the potential for consumer harm, both through fraudulent activity and from losses sustained from crypto trading," Laith Khalaf, financial analyst at AJ Bell, said.
"FCA data released last week showed that over two million Britons now hold crypto, and while the majority appeared to be taking a sensible and measured approach, 14% had borrowed money to fund their investment, leaving them at high risk of suffering losses and being saddled with a nasty debt hangover."
He added: "Financial watchdogs will also be keeping an eye on systemic risks that might emerge from crypto markets. The financial crisis was a wake-up call to governments across the world that even with considerable oversight, financial markets can build up a head of steam that leaves them hurtling towards a cliff edge.
Continue to the full article --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
 |  |  |
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada  |
Related Posts
Indiegogo’s New Hub for Entrepreneurs Is an Important Reminder to Us All- Nodano to Launch First-Ever Social Activism Network Platform
- Stephen Harper: Canada’s Newest VC
- Naval Ravikant hints at future plans for Product Hunt and adding secondary trading to AngelList
- Sustainable finance linked bonds and loans in the capital markets
- The ICO Governance Deficit
Leave a Reply