Binance's Greece MiCA License: Fully Compliant, Stalled by Politics
Binance founder Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao disclosed in an interview with The Block that the company's MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license application in Greece had fully met regulatory requirements and was close to receiving approval before being withdrawn last week. According to CZ, the process was interrupted due to 'external political factors' intervening. He noted that multiple EU member states had expressed interest in hosting the license, even engaging in a degree of 'competitive bidding,' but the regulatory advancement was ultimately blocked by non-regulatory influences. Binance has now withdrawn its Greek application and will pursue MiCA authorization in other EU member states.
Denies Ties to EU Politicians; Warns of Strict July 1 Deadline
Responding to market rumors about connections between Binance and high-level EU political figures, CZ stated he has not seen any verifiable documents and only encountered unconfirmed claims online. He underscored that the MiCA transition period ends on July 1, after which unlicensed platforms must cease operations, with national regulators confirming no extension will be granted. CZ called the current situation a 'lose-lose outcome,' drawing parallels to Japan's and Singapore's regulatory journeys, emphasizing that compliance processes often take longer cycles, implying friction between the industry and evolving regulatory frameworks.
On Strategy's STRC Preferred Shares: Complex but Respect for Saylor
When asked about the STRC preferred shares issued by MicroStrategy (now rebranded as Strategy), CZ described the product as 'overly complex' and admitted he finds the mechanism difficult to fully understand. However, he explicitly refrained from questioning the credibility of founder Michael Saylor, calling him a 'staunch Bitcoin supporter.' The comment reflects CZ's cautious approach toward innovative financial instruments while maintaining respect for Saylor's role in Bitcoin advocacy.