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Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, declined to comment on local media reports that it was in late-stage talks to acquire South Korean digital asset exchange GOPAX.
See related articles: Binance Will Re-Enter South Korean Crypto Market, CZ Says
quick facts
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Binance is about to purchase a 41.2% stake in GOPAX from founder and largest shareholder Lee Jun-haeng.
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GOPAX is one of five South Korean cryptocurrency trading platforms licensed to provide fiat-to-cryptocurrency services to its customers. GOPAX, the last licensed of the five, holds about 0.1% of the local crypto market, while industry leader Upbit controls over 80%.
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A Binance spokesperson said, “As a matter of policy, we do not comment on speculation or rumors.” Forst via Telegram. GOPAX did not respond to telephone or email requests for comment.
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In November, Binance chief Changpeng Zhao said the exchange was preparing to enter the South Korean market. Last year, Binance formed a partnership with the local city of Busan to help promote its blockchain ecosystem, including establishing a regional office in Busan.
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GOPAX is reportedly seeking new investments after decentralized finance (DeFi) service GOFi stopped withdrawing principal and interest payments on Nov. 16.
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In a Dec. 31 announcement, GOPAX said it had completed due diligence on a new business deal with “the largest global blockchain infrastructure company.” The statement did not name the company, citing a non-disclosure agreement, but media outlets speculate that the unnamed company is Binance.
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However, according to GOPAX’s announcement in December, the partner entered South Korea for the first time, and Binance was operating in South Korea in 2020.
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South Korean crypto trading platforms must obtain information security approval from authorities and partner with local banks to provide users’ deposit and withdrawal accounts with real names and other customer verification rules.
See related articles: FTX Contagion in South Korea: GOPAX Stops Genesis-Backed DeFi
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