MiCA License Withdrawal: Near Approval, Halted by Political Factors
According to The Block, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao disclosed in an interview that the company's MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license application submitted in Greece had fully met regulatory requirements and was on the verge of approval before being interrupted by 'external political factors'. Zhao stated that multiple EU member states had expressed interest in the license, even showing a degree of 'competitive bidding', but the regulatory process was impacted by non-regulatory elements, forcing Binance to formally withdraw the Greek application last week. The exchange will now pursue MiCA authorization in other EU member states.
EU Regulatory Landscape: July 1 Transition Deadline, a 'Lose-Lose Situation'
Regarding market rumors linking him to high-level EU politicians, Zhao said he had seen no verifiable documents, only unconfirmed claims online. He emphasized that the EU MiCA transitional period ends on July 1, after which platforms without licenses must cease operations, with national regulators clearly stating no extensions will be granted. Zhao described the outcome as a 'lose-lose situation', citing regulatory precedents in Japan and Singapore to highlight that compliance processes often require longer timeframes.
Comments on STRC Preferred Stock: Structure Too Complex
When discussing Strategy's STRC preferred stock product, Zhao remarked that its structure is 'too complex' and admitted difficulty fully understanding its mechanics. However, he stressed that he would not question the credibility of founder Michael Saylor, calling him a 'staunch Bitcoin supporter'.