Binance exits Russian crypto market selling business to newcomer

In a significant development in the crypto industry, Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced its intention to withdraw from the Russian market. This decision comes as Binance moves to sell its business operations in Russia to a newly established player, CommEX.

Binance’s exit strategy

Binance announced its plans to gradually cease all exchange services and business operations in Russia over the upcoming months. The cryptocurrency exchange giant will transfer its assets to CommEX in a deal whose financial details remain undisclosed. Binance will not retain any ongoing revenue shares from the sale or have any buyback options, distinguishing this move from similar transactions by international companies in Russia.

Compliance concerns drive Binance’s decision

Noah Perlman, Binance’s Chief Compliance Officer, cited compliance issues as the driving force behind this strategic exit. He stated that operating in Russia was no longer aligned with Binance’s compliance strategy, marking the end of the exchange’s presence in the country.

CommEX, the newcomer in this deal, was launched just a day before the Binance announcement. While details about its background remain mysterious, CommEX claims to enjoy backing from an undisclosed “top-tier crypto VC (venture capital).” The opaque nature of this buyer has sparked curiosity within the Russian crypto community, leaving many speculating about its true identity.

Binance’s impact on the russian crypto sector

Binance’s exit from Russia has reverberations for the country’s crypto enthusiasts. For many Russians, cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance have become vital tools for transferring money, especially for those who have left Russia following geopolitical events, such as the invasion of Ukraine. As numerous Russian banks have faced isolation from international payment systems, cryptocurrency exchanges have played a crucial role in facilitating financial transactions.

Binance’s policies in Russia

Binance adopted a relatively permissive approach towards its Russian clientele, imposing only a limited number of restrictions. These included prohibiting direct currency exchanges of the Russian ruble for dollars or euros while allowing users to access the exchange for various other transactions. In April, Binance removed the €10,000 limit on the value of assets that Russian users could hold in their accounts, which had been imposed a year earlier.

Transitioning Russian users to CommEX

Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, assured users that holders of Binance’s in-house coin, BNB, would enjoy a 25 percent trading fee discount when using CommEX. The migration of Russian Binance users to the new platform is expected to take up to a year. Binance emphasized that all assets belonging to existing Russian users would remain safe and securely protected during the transition.

Binance’s ongoing legal battles

Despite its dominance in the cryptocurrency exchange landscape, Binance has faced regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges. The exchange is currently entangled in lawsuits brought forth by major U.S. regulatory bodies. These lawsuits allege that Binance illegally accessed U.S. customers, violated securities laws, and commingled customer funds via a separate entity owned by its founder, Changpeng Zhao. Binance has expressed its disappointment in these lawsuits and vowed to contest the allegations.

In summary, Binance’s decision to exit the Russian market and sell its business to CommEX marks a significant development in the cryptocurrency industry. This move, driven by compliance concerns, highlights the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulations and the strategic choices made by industry leaders like Binance.

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