The global crypto industry is feeling the heat as regulatory scrutiny intensifies. This year, the focus of regulators, particularly in North America, has been sharper than ever.

For instance, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has started to flex its muscles, even at big players like Coinbase, the country’s leading cryptocurrency exchange. Earlier this year, the SEC issued a Wells Notice to Coinbase, an indication that it might pursue legal action against the platform for alleged violations of federal securities laws.

The legal status of cryptocurrencies is at the heart of this dispute. The SEC is of the view that, except for Bitcoin, most cryptocurrencies and crypto-related products should be classified as securities, which would significantly extend the regulator’s oversight.

In Canada, the situation is no different. The Canadian authorities have also tightened their regulations on cryptocurrencies. In February, Ottawa issued a warning to crypto operators that they would have to comply with “enhanced investor protection commitments” to operate in the country.

These commitments include pre-registration with authorities, stricter rules regarding the custody and segregation of crypto assets held on behalf of Canadian clients, and prohibition of offering margin, credit, or other forms of leverage to any Canadian client. Additionally, platforms are forbidden from allowing clients to purchase or deposit stablecoins and proprietary tokens without prior written consent from the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA).

These tightened regulations have led to a significant move in the crypto industry: Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, has decided to exit the Canadian market.

On May 12, Binance announced that it would be “proactively withdrawing from the Canadian marketplace,” citing the country’s new regulations as the driving force behind the decision.

Binance’s departure is notable, not only because of its size and influence but also because its founder and CEO, Changpeng Zhao, is Canadian. Binance expressed its disappointment, stating that while Canada is a relatively small market, it held sentimental value as the home country of its founder.

Binance, however, hasn’t ruled out a future return to the Canadian market. The company stated, “We are confident that we will someday return to the market when Canadian users once again have the freedom to access a broader suite of digital assets.”

As this development unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder to entrepreneurs and investors of the evolving regulatory landscape of the crypto industry. It underscores the importance of keeping abreast with regulatory changes and their implications, a necessity for navigating the turbulent waters of the cryptocurrency world.