Germany's regulatory authority has informed Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, that it will not be granted a cryptocurrency custody licence, according to a source familiar with the matter. This development marks another setback for Binance, which has been facing increasing pressure from regulators worldwide. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently filed a lawsuit against Binance and its CEO, Changpeng Zhao, accusing them of attempting to evade U.S. laws through deceptive practices. Binance has denied these allegations.

The German regulator, BaFin, declined to comment on individual companies, citing confidentiality. Binance, while refraining from disclosing specific details about its discussions with regulators, stated that it is actively working towards complying with BaFin's requirements. The exchange described the process as "detailed and ongoing" and expressed confidence in having the necessary team and measures in place to continue engaging with German regulators.

The news of Germany's rejection of Binance's licence application was first reported by Finance Forward. This development adds to the series of challenges faced by Binance in recent weeks. The Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) ordered Binance to cease providing any virtual currency services in the country. Furthermore, France has initiated an investigation into Binance, while the exchange has decided to exit the Dutch market due to its inability to meet registration requirements as a virtual asset service provider.

BaFin had previously cautioned Binance in 2021, warning that it could face fines for offering certain digital tokens to German clients without the necessary information.

As Binance continues to navigate regulatory hurdles, its interactions with authorities in various jurisdictions will play a crucial role in determining its future operations. The cryptocurrency exchange industry remains under close scrutiny, emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance and cooperation between exchanges and regulators to ensure the integrity of the market.