Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has announced that it will stop accepting new users from the UK. This decision comes after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a consumer warning against the platform, stating that it is not authorized to operate in the country.
Binance said in a statement that it is “disappointed” by the FCA’s action, and that it is committed to working with regulators to create a sustainable and healthy industry. Binance added that it will continue to provide services to existing UK customers, and that they can still access their funds and trade on its website and app.
The FCA’s warning is part of a global crackdown on the crypto sector, as regulators seek to protect investors from the risks and volatility of digital assets. The FCA has also banned the sale of crypto derivatives to retail consumers and warned that crypto investments are not covered by any compensation schemes or ombudsman services.
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Binance is not the only crypto exchange facing regulatory hurdles in the UK. In June, Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) issued a similar warning against Binance, saying that it is operating without registration. Binance has also faced challenges in Germany, Thailand, Canada, and the US.
Despite these difficulties, Binance remains one of the most popular and influential platforms in the crypto space, with over 13 million users and a daily trading volume of over $20 billion. Binance offers a wide range of products and services, including spot and futures trading, margin trading, staking, lending, mining, and its own blockchain and token, Binance Coin (BNB).
However, the FCA’s warning is not the only reason why Binance decided to stop accepting new UK users. Binance is facing a global crackdown on the crypto sector, as regulators seek to protect investors from the risks and volatility of digital assets. The FCA has also banned the sale of crypto derivatives to retail consumers and warned that crypto investments are not covered by any compensation schemes or ombudsman services.
Binance’s CEO, Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, has said that he welcomes regulation as a way to foster innovation and growth. He has also expressed his willingness to cooperate with authorities and comply with local laws. CZ has said that he does not have a permanent headquarters or residence, and that he operates Binance as a decentralized organization.
Binance’s move to stop accepting new UK users may have a significant impact on the crypto market in the country, as well as on the broader adoption and acceptance of digital currencies. However, it may also create opportunities for other platforms and players to fill the gap and offer alternative solutions. The crypto industry is constantly evolving and adapting to changing circumstances, and Binance’s case is just one example of how regulation can shape its future.
TrueUSD third-party security breach revealed Blockchain Wallet addresses of clients.
TrueUSD, a stablecoin backed by the US dollar, has disclosed a security breach that exposed the blockchain wallet addresses of some of its clients. The incident occurred on October 15, when an unauthorized third-party accessed a database containing sensitive information related to the verification process of TrueUSD users.
According to a blog post by TrustToken, the company behind TrueUSD, the breach was detected and contained within 15 minutes, and no funds were lost or stolen. However, the attacker was able to view and copy some data, including the names, email addresses, and blockchain wallet addresses of some users who had completed the identity verification process.
TrustToken said that it has notified the affected users and advised them to change their passwords and enable two-factor authentication on their accounts. The company also said that it has launched an investigation into the incident and is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to prevent future attacks.
The security breach is a serious blow to the reputation of TrueUSD, which claims to be one of the most transparent and trustworthy stablecoins in the market. TrueUSD is backed by US dollars held in escrow accounts and verified by independent third-party auditors. The stablecoin is designed to provide a stable and reliable alternative to volatile cryptocurrencies, and is widely used by traders, investors, and businesses.
TrustToken said that it is committed to protecting the privacy and security of its users, and that it will take all necessary steps to restore their trust. The company also said that it will offer a reward of up to $100,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the attacker.
Trade-offs involved in creating and using synthetic stablecoins in DeFi
Meanwhile, Synthetic stablecoins are digital assets that aim to maintain a stable value relative to a reference asset, such as a fiat currency or a commodity. They are created and used in decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, which are blockchain-based applications that enable various financial services without intermediaries.
Synthetic stablecoins have some advantages over traditional stablecoins, such as greater scalability, lower fees, and more flexibility. However, they also entail significant trade-offs and risks that users and developers should be aware of.
One of the main trade-offs of synthetic stablecoins is the need for overcollateralization. This means that users have to lock up more value in collateral than the value of the synthetic stablecoins they create or borrow. For example, if a user wants to create $100 worth of synthetic USD, they may have to deposit $150 worth of ETH as collateral.
This ensures that the synthetic stablecoins are always backed by sufficient assets in case of market fluctuations or liquidations. However, this also reduces the capital efficiency and liquidity of the users, as they have to lock up more funds than they actually need.
Another trade-off of synthetic stablecoins is the complexity and uncertainty of their design and governance. Unlike traditional stablecoins, which are usually backed by centralized entities that guarantee their redemption and regulation, synthetic stablecoins are governed by decentralized protocols that rely on algorithms, incentives, and community votes.
This makes them more transparent and democratic, but also more prone to errors, bugs, attacks, and disputes. For example, if a synthetic stablecoin protocol suffers a security breach or a governance failure, it may lose its peg or its functionality, resulting in losses for the users.
A third trade-off of synthetic stablecoins is the exposure to systemic and idiosyncratic risks in the DeFi ecosystem. Synthetic stablecoins are interconnected with other DeFi protocols and services, such as lending, borrowing, trading, and derivatives. This creates a network effect that enhances the utility and innovation of DeFi, but also amplifies the potential impact of any shock or disruption.
For example, if a major DeFi protocol experiences a liquidity crisis or a technical malfunction, it may trigger a cascade of liquidations and defaults across the DeFi ecosystem, affecting the stability and solvency of synthetic stablecoins.
Synthetic stablecoins are an emerging and promising form of digital money that offer new possibilities and opportunities for DeFi users and developers. However, they also involve significant trade-offs and risks that require careful evaluation and management.
Users should understand the mechanics and assumptions behind each synthetic stablecoin protocol, as well as the potential scenarios and outcomes of their actions. Developers should strive to design and implement robust and resilient synthetic stablecoin protocols that can withstand various shocks and stresses in the DeFi ecosystem.