Key Points:
- Binance discontinues Visa card services in Europe, adding to recent challenges.
- Lithuania-based Contis terminating the partnership with Binance raises questions in the financial world.
- Binance faces setbacks in Europe and the US, with regulatory scrutiny affecting its partnerships.
Binance, a major player in the cryptocurrency world, is set to discontinue its Visa debit card services in the European Economic Area (EEA) starting December 20th. This decision marks a significant shift in the crypto landscape within the EEA and adds to the company’s recent challenges.
Binance’s Visa debit card was introduced just over a year ago, in September 2020, aiming to create a bridge between cryptocurrencies and traditional finance. The card allowed users to convert their cryptocurrencies in Binance wallets into local fiat currency, enabling them to make everyday purchases online and in physical stores. Its operations spanned across the 27 European Union member countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, demonstrating Binance’s commitment to expanding its presence in the European market.
Contis’ Surprising Exit Raises Concerns
However, the unexpected twist came when the card’s issuer, Lithuania-based Finansinės paslaugos “Contis,” a part of the German banking platform Solaris Group, decided to terminate its partnership with Binance, leaving many puzzled in the financial world.
This move adds to a string of recent setbacks that Binance has experienced. Just before the announcement of the Visa card discontinuation, Binance had successfully reinstated its euro deposit and withdrawal services, which had been dormant for a month due to a parting of ways with payments processor Paysafe.
Binance also needs help in the United Kingdom as it struggles with onboarding new customers after another third-party service provider departs.
While Binance hoped to expand its international presence with the launch of its Visa card in Europe, the reality has proven challenging. Rumors of Binance cards debuting in Russia and the United States have yet to materialize as expected. A Binance representative noted that the European service shutdown would affect only a small fraction, approximately 1%, of their global user base.
Binance’s Woes Extend Beyond Europe
Yet, these challenges are wider than the European market. Binance’s American counterpart, Binance.US, encountered issues in June, temporarily halting U.S. dollar deposits. An advisory about potential withdrawal suspensions followed this. To alleviate these concerns, Binance.US partnered with MoonPay to enable users to purchase Tether on its platform. However, it’s hard to ignore that Mastercard severed ties with Binance in several countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Bahrain, citing increased regulatory scrutiny as the reason behind the split.
Binance’s journey, once filled with potential and promise, has encountered unexpected twists and turns. As the sun sets on Binance’s Visa card services in Europe, the crypto community watches anxiously, uncertain about what the future holds for this industry giant. In a volatile and high-stakes game, resilience becomes the name of the game for Binance.
Conclusion
Binance faces multiple fronts, from discontinuing Visa card services in Europe to regulatory issues and disruptions in key markets. These obstacles test Binance’s ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving crypto landscape.
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