Binance's head of Asia-Pacific, SB Seker, told Nikkei Asia in Tokyo that the exchange plans to secure five additional regulatory licenses in Asia this year. That would bring Binance's licensed operations to more than 20 jurisdictions worldwide.
Binance's APAC Licensing Push
Seker said directly: "We have five more planned for this year in Asia." Currently, Binance holds licenses in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and Thailand. South Korea is expected to join after the company finalizes its acquisition of local crypto exchange Gopax.
The exchange is working through a pipeline of Asian markets. Some applications are nearing completion, while others still require discussions with regulators on business models and local compliance. This push aligns with Binance's "hyperlocalization" strategy — adapting to each market's regulatory standards while expanding services.
APAC Crypto Transaction Volume Jumps 69%
The Asia-Pacific region has become the fastest-growing area for crypto activity. According to Chainalysis' Global Crypto Adoption Index, total transaction volume in APAC surged from $1.4 trillion to $2.36 trillion, a year-over-year increase of 69%. The 2025 Country Crypto Adoption Index lists seven Asian nations in the global top 10: India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan.
Which Markets Could Issue the New Licenses
Binance hasn't disclosed the specific Asian countries for the upcoming licenses. However, several jurisdictions are strengthening digital asset regulations. Hong Kong had about 11 licensed crypto exchanges by late 2025. Japan requires exchanges to register with the Financial Services Agency. Malaysia mandates approval from the Securities Commission. Vietnam and Thailand are also developing their regulatory frameworks.
Singapore: Lost Retail, Kept Corporate
Binance withdrew its retail crypto license application in Singapore in 2021 after regulators tightened oversight. The company also ended retail services there. Today, Seker said Singapore remains important for Binance's corporate headquarters, derivatives operations, and OTC trading. But a retail license would mainly serve the country's small spot trading segment. His take: "The market isn't very big, but we take every market seriously."