close
Monday, June 28, 2021

FLASH: UK bans Binance

Binance has garnered global scrutiny over the past couple of months.

• June 28, 2021

The United Kingdom’s financial regulatory body, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said that Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency trading platforms, can no longer carry out any regulated operations in the country, sending out warnings to consumers.

In a notice dated June 25, FCA said Binance Markets Ltd, Binance’s only regulated UK entity, “must not, without the prior written consent of the FCA, carry out any regulated activities… with immediate effect.”

The FCA has told Binance that by June 30 it must display a notice stating “BINANCE MARKETS LIMITED IS NOT PERMITTED TO UNDERTAKE ANY REGULATED ACTIVITY IN THE UK” on its website and social media channels.

It must also secure and preserve all records relating to UK consumers and inform the FCA this has been done by July 2.

Though trading of cryptocurrencies is not directly regulated in Britain, services such as trading in cryptocurrency requires authorisation by the FCA.

The FCA is carrying out its oversight powers over cryptocurrency trade as bodies and regulatory powers address concerns relating to its potential role in aiding money laundering and fraud.

In January, the FCA put out a requirement for all firms offering cryptocurrency-related services to register and show they comply with anti-money laundering rules. However earlier this month it said that only five firms had registered with it.

As of May 12, another 90 have temporary registration, allowing them to continue trading while their applications are assessed. The FCA noted that this status did not mean the registered bodies were “fit and proper.”

Binance has garnered global scrutiny over the past couple of months. In June, Japan said that the crypto trading platform was operating in the country illegally. This announcement was made on Japan’s Financial Services Agency website.

In May, Peoples Gazette reported that the trading platform came under investigation by officials from the U.S. Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service, who probe for money laundering and tax offences.

In April, Reuters reported that Germany’s financial regulator BaFin said the exchange risked being fined for offering digital tokens without an investor prospectus.

More from Peoples Gazette

Sport

Tokyo Olympics: Nigeria qualify for 4x400m mixed relay, set new national, African record

Nigeria will now be among 16 other teams that will compete in the mixed relay events at the Games in Japan.

Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad

Anti-Corruption

Bribes will ruin your career, CJN warns judges

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad, has warned newly sworn-in appellate court judges that bribes disguised as gifts will ruin their careers if they accept them.

Prime Minister of Sweden is Stefan Löfven

World

Swedish Prime Minister resigns after parliament passed vote of no confidence on him

Mr Löfven resignation comes a week after a vote of no confidence was passed on him on June 21.

Hope Uzodimma

Politics

After God, it’s Buhari: Governor Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo says President Muhammadu Buhari is the next powerful person after God in Nigeria.

Education

Insecurity: Ibadan polytechnic backtracks, resumes activities

The Polytechnic Ibadan has backtracked on its suspension of various activities, including conferences, seminars, and workshops in the institution and its environment.

Lagos

Super TV CEO Ataga’s Killing: Brother demands justice

Super TV CEO Usifo Ataga’s brother Isi Ataga has demanded justice over the latter’s killing.