Binance dismisses Lagarde MiCA interference claims, doubles down on European expansion plans
The cryptocurrency exchange refused to comment on allegations of ECB involvement in blocking its Greek MiCA application, maintaining its dedication to obtaining regulatory approval across Europe.
Binance has chosen not to respond to allegations that Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, played a role in the collapse of its cryptocurrency licensing attempt in Greece, while emphasizing its ongoing pursuit of regulatory approval under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
According to a Friday report from The Wall Street Journal, a vice chair at Greece's Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) informed Binance that Lagarde had made a direct request to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, asking him to block the exchange's licensing application.
The report indicates that Greek regulatory authorities notified the European Securities and Markets Authority during the early part of June regarding the regulator's plans to grant approval for the license.
"We will not comment on speculation. In Europe, Binance remains committed to operating on a long-term, compliant basis under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation."
Binance spokesperson to Cointelegraph
This most recent reporting provides additional context to the ambiguity that has surrounded Binance's Greek licensing attempt following the exchange's submission of a MiCA license application in Greece during January. Around the middle of June, various online sources indicated that the HCMC was preparing to deny the application, with The Big Whale later publishing a report claiming that Lagarde had personally interfered with the application process.
The exchange subsequently pulled its Greek application and announced plans to pursue regulatory authorization through a different EU member state jurisdiction only days before the July 1 MiCA compliance deadline.
Cointelegraph reached out to both the ECB and HCMC seeking comment but had not received any responses at the time of publication.