Binance Exchange Plans Five More Asia Licenses as APAC Crypto Adoption Surges

Binance Exchange plans to secure five additional regulatory licenses in Asia this year as it expands its presence in the region’s growing cryptocurrency market.

SB Seker, Binance’s head of Asia-Pacific, shared the plan during an interview with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo. 

“We have five more planned for this year in Asia,” Seker said.

The approvals would increase the exchange’s licensed operations to more than 20 jurisdictions worldwide.

Binance Licensing Push Across Asia

Binance currently holds regulatory licenses and authorizations in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and Thailand. South Korea is expected to join the list after the company completes its acquisition of local crypto exchange Gopax.

Seker said the exchange is working through a pipeline of markets across Asia. Some licensing processes are nearing completion, while discussions with regulators continue in other jurisdictions regarding Binance’s business model and local compliance requirements.

The licensing efforts are part of Binance’s “hyperlocalization” strategy, which focuses on adapting operations to local regulatory standards while expanding services in individual markets.

APAC Drives Global Crypto Activity

Asia-Pacific has emerged as the fastest-growing region for cryptocurrency activity.

According to Chainalysis’ Global Crypto Adoption Index, total cryptocurrency transaction volume in the Asia-Pacific region increased from $1.4 trillion to $2.36 trillion, marking a 69% year-over-year increase.

The Country Crypto Adoption Index 2025 lists seven Asian nations among the global top 10: India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. 

Potential Markets for New Licenses

Binance has not disclosed which Asian countries could issue the new licenses. However, several jurisdictions in the region are strengthening digital asset regulations.

Hong Kong introduced a licensing system for Virtual Asset Trading Platforms and had about 11 licensed crypto exchanges operating in late 2025.

Japan maintains a mature regulatory structure where exchanges must register with the Financial Services Agency before offering services.

Malaysia requires crypto platforms to obtain approval from the Securities Commission and maintain strict compliance frameworks.

Vietnam and Thailand are also developing regulatory systems for digital asset trading.

Singapore’s Position in Binance Operations

Binance withdrew its application for a retail crypto license in Singapore in 2021 after regulators tightened oversight of cryptocurrency speculation. The company also ended direct retail services in the country.

Seker said Singapore remains important for Binance’s corporate headquarters, derivatives operations, and over-the-counter trading services.

However, obtaining a retail license would mainly allow Binance to serve the country’s smaller spot trading segment.

“The market isn’t very big, but we take every market seriously,” Seker said.