Date March 6, 2026
By Fabiano
Highlighted Assets: BNB BTC ETH
Source Nikkei Asia / Interview with SB Seker, head of Binance for Asia-Pacific
Regional head calls the fastest-growing market the "crown jewel"; contests allegations from Iran
SB Seker, head of Binance in Asia-Pacific, photographed in Tokyo on February 27. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
📈 1. The News: Accelerated Regulatory Expansion
Binance plans to add five new regulatory licenses in Asia by 2026. If confirmed, the number of jurisdictions where the exchange operates with licenses will exceed 20 worldwide.
The statement was made by SB Seker, head of Binance for Asia-Pacific, in an interview with Nikkei Asia during a visit to Tokyo at the end of February. Seker, who has experience with MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore), Ant Group, and Crypto.com, took the position in September last year.
What this means in practice:
Some licensing processes are already in the final approval stage
Others are still in negotiation with local authorities
Binance has not revealed which countries are in its sights, but the strategy is clear: compliance first, growth later
🗺️ 2. Where is Binance Already Licensed in Asia?
Currently, the exchange holds licenses or approvals in:
South Korea is expected to be added to the list as soon as the acquisition of the local exchange Gopax is finalized.
🌏 3. Why is Asia the "Crown Jewel"?
Seker did not use the term lightly. The numbers explain:
535 million adults in Asia-Pacific already own or use digital assets, according to a 2025 Consensus report
Transaction volume in the region jumped from $1.4 trillion to $2.36 trillion last year – an increase of 69%
Seven of the ten countries with the highest crypto adoption are in Asia: India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan
APAC has already surpassed the US and Europe in retail cryptocurrency trading
In the words of the executive: "We have strong growth worldwide, but APAC still leads the pack".
🔄 4. The Return to Lost Markets?
Two markets draw attention in Binance's plans:
Singapore
The exchange withdrew retail services from Singapore in 2021 after regulatory difficulties, but continues to serve institutional clients in the country.
Seker stated that the company is exploring ways to return retail offerings to the city-state. Singapore remains one of the leading financial and fintech hubs in Asia, and a potential re-entry would be symbolic.
South Korea
The acquisition of Gopax is expected to be the passport to operate regulated in one of the most competitive markets on the continent.
🛡️ 5. The Response to Allegations about Iran
The interview also addressed a sensitive topic. Recent reports stated that around $1.7 billion in cryptocurrencies would have flowed to Iranian entities.
Seker directly refuted the allegations: the accusations lack evidence. He reiterated that Binance maintains strict KYC and AML procedures across all operations.
The exchange has heavily invested in compliance:
Compliance team grew by 30% annually over the past two years
Currently has about 1,500 dedicated professionals
In February, launched a new Security Center in the Web3 wallet, with protection tools and real-time risk monitoring
"We are confident in addressing these allegations," the executive stated.
📊 6. The Broader Context
Binance's movement does not happen in a vacuum. Asian countries are building clearer regulatory frameworks:
Hong Kong implemented a licensing regime for virtual asset platforms
Japan requires registration with the Financial Services Agency
Binance itself has established its global headquarters in the United Arab Emirates, recognizing the country's structured digital asset framework.
For exchanges, licenses have ceased to be optional and have become a competitive factor. They provide access to institutional investors, reduce operational risks, and allow partnerships with traditional banks.
📈 7. BNB on the Rise
The market reacted well to the news. The BNB token is trading up about 3.33% in the last 24 hours, priced around $650. For the week, the increase reaches 7.07%.
Still, it's worth noting that BNB remains more than 50% below its all-time high of $1,370.55, recorded in October last year.
🧠 8. What Does This Mean
Binance is replacing "growth at any cost" with regulated growth. Five new licenses in Asia represent more than just numbers – they mean:
Access to formal markets with clear rules
Reduction of regulatory risk for users
Possibility of attracting institutional capital that previously avoided unlicensed exchanges
The path is not easy. Competition with Coinbase, OKX, and Bybit for licenses and local partnerships is expected to intensify in the coming years. But the direction is set.
And you, Fabiano, what do you think about this regulatory race in Asia? Do more licenses mean more security for the investor, or can excessive rules hinder innovation?
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