Στα τέλη Μαΐου, η Binance προετοιμαζόταν να ανακοινώσει μια σημαντική εξέλιξη που θα άνοιγε την ευρωπαϊκή αγορά στη μεγαλύτερη πλατφόρμα ανταλλαγής κρυπτονομισμάτων παγκοσμίως.
Η αίτησή της για την απόκτηση πανευρωπαϊκής άδειας,υποβληθείσα μέσω της ελληνικής Επιτροπής Κεφαλαιαγοράς,είχε ολοκληρωθεί σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες από Έλληνες αξιωματούχους. Το δελτίο Τύπου της εταιρείας με τίτλο «Ένα σημαντικό ορόσημο» ήταν έτοιμο προς δημοσίευση.
Ο διευθύνων σύμβουλος της Binance, Ρίτσαρντ Τενγκ, σχεδίαζε να ταξιδέψει στην Αθήνα για φωτογραφίες με τον πρωθυπουργό, ενώ ο επικεφαλής της εταιρείας στην Ελλάδα ετοίμαζε τη συμφωνία μίσθωσης για τα νέα γραφεία.
Ωστόσο, η πρόεδρος της Ευρωπαϊκής Κεντρικής Τράπεζας (ΕΚΤ), Κριστίν Λαγκάρντ, είχε διαφορετική γνώμη.
Όπως ανέφερε η WSJ λίγες ημέρες αργότερα, ανώτερο στέλεχος από την ελληνική Επιτροπή Κεφαλαιαγοράς ενημέρωσε την Binance ότι η Λαγκάρντ είχε παρέμβει προσωπικά για να σταματήσει τη διαδικασία αδειοδότησης σύμφωνα με πηγές που γνωρίζουν τις επαφές αυτές.
► Binance: Ανακοίνωσε ότι αποχωρεί από την Ελλάδα αλλά όχι από την Ε.Ε.
Σύμφωνα με τις ίδιες πηγές, ο Έλληνας αξιωματούχος ανέφερε ότι η Λαγκάρντ ήθελε να κρατήσει εκτός ΕΕ αυτή τη διαφιλονικούμενη πλατφόρμα κρυπτονομισμάτων που έχει παραδεχτεί ενοχή στις ΗΠΑ για παραβιάσεις νόμων κατά του οικονομικού εγκλήματος.
Aφού έγιναν αγωνιώδεις προσπάθειες τελευταίας στιγμής ώστε να πειστούν οι ευρωπαϊκές αρχές, τα σχέδια της Binance κατέρρευσαν. Η εταιρεία δεν κατάφερε να αποκτήσει άδεια πριν από τη νέα προθεσμία του Ιουλίου που επιβάλλουν οι νέοι ευρωπαϊκοί κανόνες σχετικά με τα κρυπτονομίσματα. Ως αποτέλεσμα αυτού του γεγονότος αναγκάστηκε να σταματήσει τις υπηρεσίες της στους 450 εκατομμύρια κατοίκους των χωρών-μελών της ΕΕ.
“Είναι θλιβερό το γεγονός ότι οι χρήστες στην ΕΕ στερούνται πρόσβασης στην καλύτερη ρευστότητα παγκοσμίως”,δήλωσε στο Χ ο ιδρυτής της Binance Τσανγκπένγκ Ζάο.
The background of the chaotic withdrawal of Binance from Europe had not been disclosed until now. The Wall Street Journal’s report is based on interviews wiht individuals familiar with the relevant contacts and documents reviewed by the American newspaper.
Η παρέμβαση και ο ρόλος των Αρχών
the ECB does not have a formal role in approving cryptocurrency platform licensing applications. The new European regulatory framework known as MiCA assigns this responsibility to national supervisory authorities.
This willingness of lagarde to intervene in a wide range of European policies has characterized her tenure at the ECB which concludes next year. She has repeatedly sought to influence EU policies beyond the narrow core of monetary policy and has addressed issues such as climate change and rising extreme political forces that she sees as threats to Europe’s economic future.
When U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Latnik launched an attack on Europe from Davos in January, Lagarde dramatically left the room.Last week she also intervened in a French presidential debate criticizing a radical left candidate’s proposal for state debt cancellation.
Simultaneously occurring,the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA),which coordinates cryptocurrency rule implementation among member states had also advised national regulators behind closed doors to reject Binance’s applications due to its compliance history as previously reported by Wall Street Journal.
The Heavy History of Binance in America
The company along with Zhao pleaded guilty in 2023 for violations related to money laundering laws that allowed it to become a global hub for illegal fund transfers paying record fines amounting $4.3 billion.
Last October former President Donald Trump granted clemency to Zhao who served four months imprisonment.
This year U.S Department of Justice is investigating whether Iran used binance for circumventing U.S sanctions even after its admission of guilt.
In an asset seizure case federal prosecutors claimed this week that an Iranian network utilized Binance for transferring payments related oil sales from Iran towards Chinese buyers.
A spokesperson from Binance responded stating that this civil case does not involve any allegations against platform’s illegal actions while asserting their “zero-tolerance policy against sanction violations”.
The Greek Capital Market Commission stated it evaluated Binace’s submission “independently and solely based on applicable European and national requirements”.
Simultaneously occurring ESMA declared it collaborates with national authorities “to ensure consistent application across EU rules while limiting risks associated with regulatory framework circumvention”.
The Plan for Greece and Expected Revenues
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The company began working on its Greek plan over a year ago following Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' call towards foreign companies: “come for sun stay for tax benefits & technology”.
As Greece is part of EU establishing operations there would grant access into entire single market across Europe.
Company executives argued before Greek officials that setting up base would generate tax revenues around €200 million approximately $230 million along with creating about 100 well-paid jobs.
The head executive traveled weekly back-and-forth between Greece meeting Capital market Commission while maintaining regular discussions alongside chief economic advisor at Ministry Finance.
Advisor Vasilis Karatzas noted ministry contacts were aligned within “open-door policy towards all potential investors”.
binance submitted its application just before end-2025 meanwhile establishing local entity named Binary Greece owned by firm based Abu Dhabi where Zhao holds shares being majority owner still operating largely out UAE.
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The Update From ESMA And The Call That Changed Everything
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In early June Greek officials informed digital finance committee at ESMA regarding intention approve license request according sources familiarized within process.
Within one day vice-chairman reportedly told them Lagarde requested prime Minister refrain approval request.
Accordingly commission warned company could not proceed without support from Kyriakos Mitsotakis who two weeks earlier sat beside Lagarde during forum held at seaside resort.
A spokesperson referred comments back Ministry Finance where Vasilis Karatzas emphasized Capital Market Commission operates independently asserting “Greek government played no role whatsoever evaluating Binace’s request”.Vice-chairman allegedly mentioned they wanted delay decision until authority transferred nationally onto ESMA regarding licensing platforms crypto currencies.this was proposed legislation supported officially by ECB last April aimed preventing “risk transfer into banking system”.
A representative stated comments attributed staff members were never made without further clarifications provided.
The Fear Over Digital Dollars and Protecting Digital Euro
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According sources aware situation alongside documents reviewed by wall Street Journal indicated Lagarde aimed protecting ECB's digital euro initiative designed create unified payment option throughout Eurozone.
"I want euro properly prepared future," she expressed february adding hopes project will be part her legacy.
According same information president concerned size might solidify dominance stablecoins linked dollar rather than encouraging development similar digital currencies tied euro instead.
Most transactions conducted through platform involve cryptocurrencies associated US currency representing over 99% global stablecoin market share.
Withdrawal Of Application
< One week post committee meeting officials informed them licensing wouldn't progress citing lack convergence according sources knowledgeable about interactions involved.Binance withdrew their application mid-June prior board could formally reject it publicly announcing intentions pursue european license elsewhere member-state claiming MiCA shouldn't serve "a process whereby candidates can be undermined behind scenes via unofficial channels". simultaneously occurring platform continues servicing some european clients out Abu Dhabi relying interpretation allowing unlicensed firms register customers unless approached beforehand through advertisements or marketing campaigns respectively stating they remain committed long-term operation within EU fully compliant regulatory framework."