Binance, the world's leading provider of blockchain and cryptocurrency infrastructure, has secured approval from the Central Bank of Brazil for the acquisition of a locally licensed broker-dealer institution in Latin America’s most populous country. This achievement marks Binance’s 21st global regulatory milestone.
By receiving full approval for the takeover of Sim;paul – a licensed broker-dealer authorized to distribute securities and to issue electronic money (EMI) by the Central Bank of Brazil, Binance, which was already operating in compliance with the regulatory requirements in the country as a global exchange, can be more efficient in complying with the ongoing regulatory advancements. The approval also makes Binance the first crypto exchange to have a broker-dealer license in Brazil.
Richard Teng, Binance's Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the importance of this achievement, saying, "We are thrilled to announce our latest regulatory approval. A market with burgeoning crypto adoption, Brazil is home to a vibrant and dynamic community that is readily embracing the future of finance. We thank local regulators for their commitment to defining clear rules for this important, growing industry. This approval underscores our commitment to compliance and security, and we look forward to continuing to provide our local users with a secure, reliable, and innovative platform for their digital-asset needs."
Ranking 10th in Chainalysis global adoption index, Brazil is taking a forward-looking approach to setting specific rules for the crypto industry. The Central Bank and the Brazilian IRS have published proposals for a dedicated regulatory framework, putting it up for public consultations for market participants and experts to make suggestions, while in Congress legislators discuss federal bills on asset segregation and stablecoins, which are also relevant for the sector.
Guilherme Nazar, Head of Latin America for Binance, commented, “This approval marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to expanding our products and services in Brazil. It highlights our dedication to compliance and regulatory excellence while enhancing our ability to provide secure and innovative financial solutions to our growing user base in the country. We look forward to taking this opportunity to further drive the adoption of digital assets and deliver unparalleled value to our clients in Brazil."
Binance's registration in Brazil follows other recent regulatory advancements across the globe, including in Argentina, India, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia. This dynamic showcases Binance’s sustained global momentum and adds to previously secured licenses, registrations, and authorizations in jurisdictions like Dubai, France, Japan, El Salvador, and others.
In line with its global standards, Binance’s compliance program includes robust anti-money laundering (AML) policies and controls and a comprehensive framework for combating the financing of terrorism (CFT). In addition to that, key components of Binance's compliance program include robust identity verification processes (Know Your Customer and Know Your Business, or KYC and KYB) and the industry-leading Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) unit, designed to assist law enforcement in investigating crypto asset-related crimes and capacity building, thereby strengthening the collaborative security of the ecosystem.
Binance recently announced it plans to expand its global compliance team by 34% to 645 full-time employees by the end of 2024, including strategic senior hires. As of now, Binance employs over 1,000 compliance staff and contractors.