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Binance reopens exchange services in Belgium

Binance has reopened registrations and access to its products and services for its Belgian crypto users again — three months after the exchange was ordered by Belgium’s finance regulator to cease cryptocurrency-related services.

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Binance has reopened registrations and access to its products and services for its Belgian crypto users again — three months after the exchange was ordered by Belgium’s finance regulator to cease cryptocurrency-related services.

“New registrations of Belgian residents are welcome on our platform once again, Binance confirmed in a Sept. 25 post on X . Binance said various Binance products and services will become accessible again to Belgian users who have accepted the new Terms of Use.

On June 23, the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority accused Binance of violating Belgium’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing laws for allegedly offering crypto-related services “from countries that are not members of the European Economic Area.

It ordered Binance to cease all related services in Belgium “with immediate effect” and was required to contact all its Belgium-based clients and return all crypto and private keys the exchange held.

The ordeal led Binance to divert its services for Belgians through Binance Poland sp. z o.o., Binance’s Polish-registered arm, which it had registered as a virtual asset service provider in January.

Elsewhere in Europe, Binance has signaled plans to delist stablecoins for the European market by June 2024 as a means to comply with the European Union’s incoming Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) legislation, which is set to come into effect in June 2024.

Meanwhile, in the United States, a mass exodus of Binance.US executives has prompted some industry pundits to ponder whether the firm is experiencing some internal issues.

However, the firm’s CEO, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, has refuted those rumors on several occasions.

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Celo, Chainlink, Hyperlane launch crosschain USDT on OP Superchain

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Celo, Chainlink, Hyperlane, and Velodrome have introduced a cross-chain version of Tether’s USDT on the OP Superchain. The newly launched “Super USDT” is backed by reserves locked on Celo and utilizes Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol and Hyperlane for seamless movement across networks. This innovation aims to enhance liquidity and reduce the fragmentation of stablecoins across the ecosystem.

The initiative aligns with Optimism’s goal of creating a unified, interoperable Superchain. Unlike traditional bridged USDT, which struggles with compatibility, Super USDT is designed to integrate with upcoming interchain standards and future native USDT upgrades. This is expected to simplify stablecoin transactions and increase adoption within the Superchain framework.

Chainlink’s business officer, Johann Eid, emphasized the significance of this development, noting that Chainlink’s Data Feeds have already secured billions in USDT lending markets. With the introduction of Super USDT, users will have greater flexibility in utilizing the stablecoin across multiple Optimism-based chains.

Tether’s USDT remains the dominant stablecoin, accounting for over 61% of the $231 billion stablecoin market. With stablecoin adoption surpassing Visa and Mastercard’s transaction volumes, interoperability solutions like Super USDT are becoming increasingly critical for ensuring seamless and efficient digital asset transfers. Read more.

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SEC Enforcement Division closes investigation into Robinhood Crypto

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has closed its investigation into Robinhood Crypto, informing the company on February 21 that no enforcement action would be recommended. This decision comes less than a year after Robinhood received a Wells notice regarding potential securities violations.

Robinhood Markets’ compliance officer, Dan Gallagher, criticized the investigation, stating that the company has always adhered to federal securities laws. The SEC had been examining Robinhood’s crypto operations since issuing the Wells notice in May 2024, which suggested possible enforcement action.

In January 2025, Robinhood reached a $45 million settlement with the SEC over multiple securities law violations. The company admitted to some findings in the SEC’s order but has since urged regulators to move away from a “regulation by enforcement” approach.

This development reflects a broader shift in the SEC’s stance on crypto regulation, with growing calls for clearer guidelines. Some experts speculate that pending enforcement actions against other major crypto firms could also be reconsidered. Read more.

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Hong Kong investment firm’s board gives nod to more Bitcoin buying

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HK Asia Holdings Limited has expanded its Bitcoin holdings to nearly 9 BTC, following board approval for additional purchases. The Hong Kong-based investment firm acquired approximately 7.88 BTC on February 20, spending around $761,705. This comes after its initial 1 BTC purchase a week earlier, which significantly boosted its stock price.

The company financed its Bitcoin acquisition using internal resources, bringing its total investment in the asset to roughly $861,500. The firm emphasized its growing interest in digital assets amid increasing cryptocurrency adoption in the business world.

Following the Bitcoin purchases, HK Asia’s stock price surged by nearly 93% after its first acquisition and continued to rise by 5.7% on February 24. If the trend holds, the stock could surpass its all-time high from June 2019, reflecting strong investor confidence in the firm’s crypto strategy.

HK Asia voluntarily disclosed its Bitcoin acquisitions, even though they remained below the legal threshold requiring disclosure. This move aligns with a broader trend of publicly traded firms incorporating cryptocurrency into their asset holdings.

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