Binance said it would not comment on reports that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde intervened in the exchange’s failed Greek crypto license application, while reiterating that it remains committed to securing authorization in Europe under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, or MiCA.
The latest report, published by The Wall Street Journal on Friday, said a vice chair of Greece’s Hellenic Capital Market Commission told Binance that Lagarde had asked Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis not to approve the application. The report also said Greek officials had informed the European Securities and Markets Authority in early June that the regulator intended to approve the license.
Binance later withdrew its Greek application and said, just days before the July 1 MiCA deadline, that it would seek authorization in another EU jurisdiction. The European Central Bank declined to comment, and Cointelegraph said it had also contacted the Greek regulator but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Binance declined to comment on reports that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde intervened in the exchange’s failed Greek crypto license bid, but said it is still pursuing authorization in Europe under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, or MiCA.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that a vice chair of Greece’s Hellenic Capital Market Commission told Binance that Lagarde had asked Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis not to approve the company’s application.
According to the report, Greek officials informed the European Securities and Markets Authority in early June that the regulator intended to approve the license.
"We will not comment on speculation," a Binance spokesperson told Cointelegraph. "In Europe, Binance remains committed to operating on a long-term, compliant basis under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation."
The report adds detail to the uncertainty around Binance’s Greek application after the exchange applied for a MiCA license in Greece in January. In mid-June, online reports said the Hellenic Capital Market Commission was set to reject the application. The Big Whale later reported that Lagarde had intervened in the matter.
Binance later withdrew its Greek application and said, just days ahead of the July 1 MiCA deadline, that it would seek authorization in another EU jurisdiction.
The ECB declined to comment on the reports. Cointelegraph also contacted the Hellenic Capital Market Commission for comment but had not received a response by publication.
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