In this article I will tackle the question: Is Binance FCA Authorized? Considering that Binance is one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, the lack of regulatory oversight in the UK comes off as alarming.
For users in the UK, it is important to know whether or not Binance is ‘under the wing’ of FCA so that they can trade within the bounds of safety and legality.
What is Binance?
Binance facilitates the buying, selling and trading of many digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, making it one of the largest crypto exchanges globally.
Founded by Zhao Changpeng in 2017, Binance became popular almost instantly because of its multi-functional services that ranged from decentralized finance (DeFi) products, futures and spot trading, as well as staking.
It is accompanied by an intuitive interface and advanced trading tools that make difficult tasks simpler, allowing users to have an easier trading experience.
Binance also has millions of global users and a competitive market, but the company is constantly struggling with many regulations across multiple countries, forcing the company to change its policies in some areas. Even with all of this, Binance is still one of the most popular platforms in the cryptocurrency market.
Is Binance FCA Authorized
Currently, as of April 2025, Binance is not permitted to carry out any regulated activities in the United Kingdom by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). A UK subsidiary of the Binance Group, Binance Markets Limited, voluntarily surrendered its FCA permissions in May 2023.
The FCA had also placed certain limitations on Binance due to its inadequate anti-money laundering controls and the firm’s lack of effective supervision. No other entity within the Binance Group possesses any form of UK authorization or registration to perform regulated business activities in the United Kingdom.
Importance of FCA
Consumer’s Protection: The financial products and services offered must be safe, transparent and fair to consumers when it comes to associated risks of fraud, scams or mis-selling.
Integrity of the Market: The FCA inhibits the possibility of market manipulating practices such as insider trading.
Regulatory Supervision / Oversight: It establishes policies and procedures fors financial institutions to follow ensuring these policies and other legal requirements offer fair competition among business.
Stability of the Financial System: The FCA contributes to the stability of the United Kingom’s entire financial system by controlling financial activities of these institutions.
What Does FCA Authorization Mean for Binance Users?
Increased Trust and Security: Informed consumers amke use of strict regulations protecting customers such as robust anti money laundering (AML) as well as know your customer (KYC).
Consumer Protection: Firms that come under FCA supervision have clear guidelines of issuing services which are bound to be true and not misleading, thus aiding users in becoming less prone to fraudulent maneuvers and malpractices.
Dispute Resolution: Authorizing Binance means its users can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service in case of disputes with the exchange which have not been resolved amicably.
Regulatory Oversight: Exchanges under FCA authorization are bound to be checked routinely whether they are operating in accordance with the law of the United Kingdom, thus ensuring that the platform is operating in a fair and responsible manner.
Alternatives Binance FCA
eToro
eToro is a social trading platform where users can trade various cryptocurrencies, stocks, and other assets. Its fully FCA-regulated status ensures a safe and trustworthy environment for UK users.
eToro differentiates itself with social trading which allows users to replicate the strategies of successful traders. With an easy to navigate platform alongside FCA approval, eToro delivers a safe and transparent experience for both novice and expert traders.
Gemini
Gemini is an US-based exchange that is also available in the UK and FCA authorized, offering a secure and easy to use platform. They offer strong security measures such as two-factor authentication and cold storage of digital assets.
Gemini is revered for its compliance with international policies which makes it a trustworthy option for UK users who are looking for a regulated crypto exchange. They have a broad range of cryptocurrencies available for trading.
Coinbase
Globally used, Coinbase is one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges. It is FCA regulated, which means that users can trade with peace of mind knowing that the system is secure. The platform interface is easy to navigate for beginners.
Coinbase users can buy, sell and store a number of cryptocurrencies in one place. Its regulatory compliance and security makes Coinbase a safe cryptocurrency exchange for UK users. The platform also has educational materials for traders that are new in the game.
Kraken
Another well-known cryptocurrency exchange, Kraken also comes with FCA registration in the UK. The platform is popular because of advanced trading options and provides a safe space for all their users. Compared to other exchanges, Kraken offers a wider range of cryptocurrencies for trading.
For more advanced traders, Kraken provides the option of margin trading and futures. Crypto enthusiasts residing in the UK trust Kraken as their go to exchange as they have robust security protocols and regulatory policies that comply with the law.
Bitstamp
As one of the oldest exchanges in the industry, Bitstamp has FCA authorization and runs under UK regulation. The platform supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, and offers reliable trading services with customers in mind.
he exchange has built a solid reputation in the industry thanks to its high level of service and customer assistance support and measures to ensure security like two-factor authentication and cold storage. Regarded as one of the top crypto trading platforms in the UK, with FCA regulation supporting its reliability as a secure trading environment.
Revolut
Revolut is a Fintech company granting allowances for trading cryptocurrencies besides providing other customary financial services. The company functions under FCA regulation which makes it trustable for users within the UK.
Revolut enables its users to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies through a user friendly app. As a well rounded tool for managing finances, Revolut easily stands out due to its incorporation of currency exchange and investment services. Like all other FCA governed firms, it provides safety and compliance to it’s UK customers.
Conclusion
The conclusion remains that Binance is not FCA authorized to provide services in the UK. This is so because it used to have a UK subsidiary called Binance Markets Limited but this company has since lost its FCA permissions.
Therefore, users in the UK may want to use alternatives which are FCA regulated to ensure better consumer protection, transparency and compliance withUK financial laws when dealing with cryptocurrencies.
