Cryptocurrency exchange giant Binance has announced plans to acquire five additional regulatory licenses in Asia this year, significantly expanding its footprint in the world's fastest-growing crypto market. The revelation was made by SB Seker, Binance's head of Asia-Pacific, during an interview with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo.
"We have five more planned for this year in Asia," Seker stated, outlining the exchange's aggressive expansion strategy. This move would bring Binance's total number of licensed operations worldwide to over 20 jurisdictions, solidifying its position as a compliant global player.
Currently, Binance holds regulatory approvals in several key Asian markets, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and Thailand. South Korea is expected to join this list imminently, pending the completion of Binance's planned acquisition of the local exchange Gopax.
The licensing push is a core component of Binance's "hyperlocalization" strategy, which focuses on adapting its business model and operations to meet specific local regulatory standards and compliance requirements in each market. Seker noted that some licensing processes are in their final stages, while discussions with regulators in other jurisdictions are ongoing.
The Asia-Pacific region has become the epicenter of global crypto activity. According to the Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index, the total cryptocurrency transaction volume in APAC surged from $1.4 trillion to $2.36 trillion, representing a staggering 69% year-over-year increase. Furthermore, seven Asian nations—India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan—rank among the global top 10 in the Country Crypto Adoption Index for 2025.
While Binance has not specified the exact countries for the five new licenses, several jurisdictions are strengthening their digital asset frameworks. Hong Kong has implemented a licensing system for Virtual Asset Trading Platforms, Japan maintains a mature registration process with its Financial Services Agency, and Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand are all developing their own regulatory systems.
Regarding Singapore, Seker clarified that while Binance withdrew its application for a retail crypto license in 2021 and ended direct retail services there, the country remains crucial for the company's corporate headquarters, derivatives, and over-the-counter trading operations. "The market isn't very big, but we take every market seriously," he remarked about the potential for a future retail license.
