Rose’s Optimism Amidst Regulatory Challenges
Ben Rose, Binance Australia’s General Manager, remains confident about the Australian government’s approach to cryptocurrency regulation. In a recent conversation with Cointelegraph at the Intersekt Fintech conference in Melbourne, Rose voiced his faith in the system, saying, “There are lots of very smart people in the government working hard on [crypto] policy.” This assurance comes amidst a backdrop of evident animosity towards the cryptocurrency sector, with Binance Australia bearing the brunt of the scrutiny.
Mounting Issues for Binance Australia
In recent months, Binance Australia has faced significant challenges. The exchange faced a major setback on May 18 when they were abruptly disconnected from Australia’s banking system. This decision came after payments firm Cuscal labeled the exchange a “high risk” for scams and fraud. The consequences were immediate: Binance Australia ended its support for Australian Dollar (AUD) trading pairs and halted all AUD-denominated deposits and withdrawals. Major banks, including Westpac and NAB, also restricted transfers to “high-risk exchanges,” such as Binance.
However, Ben Rose seems undeterred. Addressing these challenges, he revealed that Binance is “really focused” on rebuilding its banking relationships and reintroducing fiat services for its Australian user base. Rose added, “We’re having some really good conversations… I’m focused on making the changes we need to make.”
Engaging Conversations Ahead for Crypto Regulation
Rose also emphasized the importance of forthcoming decisions about crypto in Australia. He’s keenly awaiting the Treasury’s views on licensing frameworks. After a recent discussion with the Treasury and ASIC, Rose noticed an encouraging level of engagement between industry and regulators.
Christian Westerlind Wigstrom of Australian payments provider Monoova shared a similar sentiment. He expressed amazement at the surge in dialogue between crypto exchanges and policymakers. Pointing to the broader issues, Wigstrom acknowledged the banking sector’s concerns about scams but urged a more collaborative and proactive discussion approach.
Awaiting Comprehensive Crypto Legislation
Consequently, crypto-focused regulations for Australian firms are in development, with expectations of rollout in 2024, as confirmed by the Australian Treasury Assistant Secretary, Trevor Power. The overarching message from industry leaders remains hopeful. While challenges exist, there’s an undeniable willingness to collaborate, innovate, and ensure that the crypto sector in Australia thrives in a regulated, safe environment.
