Thailand SEC files criminal complaint against crypto exchange Binance

[BANGKOK] Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a criminal complaint against cryptocurrency exchange Binance for operating a digital asset business without a licence, the latest in a growing worldwide crackdown on the platform.

"It was found that Binance has provided platform services for trading or exchanging digital assets via its website..." the SEC said on Friday.

"The aforementioned activities of Binance is liable to operating digital asset business in the category of digital asset exchange without licence." In Thailand, only licensed firms are allowed to provide services related to digital asset trading, the country's regulator said.

A Binance spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Britain's financial watchdog had last week barred Binance from carrying out regulated activities in the country.

The company has previously said it takes its compliance obligations seriously and was committed to following regulatory requirements wherever it operates.

REUTERS