The recent announcement by the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to block local access to Binance has sent shockwaves through the crypto community. This decision was made due to Binance’s continuous offering of investment and trading opportunities to Filipinos without the necessary license from the commission, as stated in the notice published by the financial regulator on March 25th, 2024. The SEC had previously requested the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) to block access to Binance’s website, applications, and other web pages used by the exchange.
In a further attempt to crackdown on Binance, the Philippines SEC has now reached out to Google and Meta to block all marketing campaigns related to the crypto exchange in the country. This move comes after the SEC highlighted that all previous campaigns and trade offerings by Binance were illegal since the exchange did not have the required license to operate in accordance with the Securities Regulation Code (SRC). The commission emphasized that individuals promoting Binance within the Philippines may face criminal liability under Section 28 of the SRC.
The ban on Binance imposed by the Philippines SEC is expected to be effective within a three-month period, allowing Filipino traders to close their investment positions held on the platform. SEC Chair Emilio B. Aquino has expressed concerns about the security of funds for investing Filipinos due to continued access to Binance websites and applications. This move serves as a stern warning to other unregulated exchanges operating in the country regarding the importance of compliance with local securities laws.
The ban on Binance by the Philippines SEC is not an isolated incident, as the exchange has been facing increased regulatory scrutiny worldwide. In 2023, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed charges against Binance for operating an illegal digital asset derivatives exchange and evading federal laws. Similarly, the US Securities and Exchange Commission charged Binance Holdings LTD and ex-CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) for running unregistered exchanges and conducting the unregistered offer and sale of securities. Binance and CZ pleaded guilty to federal charges, including anti-money laundering violations and unlicensed money transmission, following investigations by the SEC, the US Department of Justice (DOJ), and the CFTC.
As a result of the charges, CZ resigned as the CEO of Binance and agreed to a $4 billion settlement with the US. The US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ordered CZ to pay $150 million, while the exchange was fined $2.7 billion to resolve the enforcement action. CZ is currently out on a $175 million release bond pending his court sentence related to the money laundering charges. This series of events underscores the seriousness of regulatory compliance in the cryptocurrency industry and the potential legal consequences for violating securities laws.
The ban on Binance by the Philippines SEC reflects a broader trend of increased regulatory scrutiny on cryptocurrency exchanges globally. It also highlights the importance of obtaining proper licensing and compliance with securities laws to avoid legal repercussions. The actions taken by the Philippines SEC serve as a cautionary tale for unregulated exchanges and emphasize the need for transparency and accountability in the crypto sector. Investors and traders must be aware of the regulatory landscape surrounding digital assets to protect their interests and ensure a safe investment environment.
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