Binance sets up shop in New Zealand in global push

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has launched a local branch in New Zealand after becoming a registered financial service provider, Chief Executive Officer Changpeng Zhao announced on Friday.

See related article: Binance taps ex-U.S. senator Max Baucus to chair global advisory board

Fast facts

• “New Zealand is an exciting market with a strong history of fintech innovation, and our team of Binancians in New Zealand are working hard to bring the freedom of crypto to Kiwis,” Zhao said in a video announcement on Twitter.
• Binance recently received regulatory approval to offer crypto-related services in France, Italy, Spain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
• Last week, Binance announced the launch of its global advisory board, chaired by Max Baucus, a former U.S. senator and ambassador to China, to advise the exchange on regulatory, political and social issues.
• Earlier this week, Binance launched a dedicated training program to “help law enforcement detect financial and cyber crimes,” as it navigates regulatory headwinds and ramps up compliance efforts.

See related article: Binance law enforcement training program to seek out ‘bad actors’