The UK subsidiary of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has decided to cancel its unused permissions granted by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Binance Markets Limited (BML) has officially withdrawn its permissions for non-crypto-related activities, which means it can no longer provide regulated products and services, as stated by the FCA.
The Financial Times reported that Binance founder Zhao Changpeng and Dimplx formed the UK joint venture Binance Digital Limited in 2019, but relations between the partners have since soured. Dimplx said it intended to sue Binance and over disputes arising from their business dealings, but declined to provide details of its claims. Dimplx accused Binance of filing a “grossly inaccurate” annual report for one of the British entities associated with the world’s largest crypto exchange.
In March 2022, the Nasdaq-listed crypto exchange operator EQONEX Limited entered into a strategic partnership with the Binance Group, making it a sort of subsidiary. Under the terms of the strategic alliance, Lithuanian Bifinity UAB provided a $36 million loan and has the right to nominate key management positions and Board members. Consequently, Jonathan Farnell has been appointed CEO, Almira Cemmell Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, and Daniel Ling was appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Early this week, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that it would be aware of the announcement made by the Eqonex Group and the Binance Group confirming that an entity called Bifinity UAB will advance a US$36 million convertible loan to Nasdaq-listed crypto exchange Eqonex. Bifinity has acquired some specific contractual rights over Eqonex Limited through this loan. The Lithuanian Bifinity is the official fiat-to-crypto payments provider for the Binance Group launched on 7 March 2022.