Binance Delists Monero and Three Other Tokens
The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, announced that it will delist Monero (XMR), along with Aragon (ANT), Multichain (MULTI), and Vai (VAI) on February 20th, 2024. Binance stated that these tokens no longer meet its high listing standards for providing users a healthy and sustainable crypto ecosystem.
Monero Price Plunges Following Delisting Announcement
The news of the delisting caused Monero’s price to plummet over 30% to a 20-month low of $114, resulting in massive volatility and erasing billions in market value. This decline comes after OKX, another top-10 crypto exchange, delisted Monero, Zcash, and Dash late last year.
Privacy Coins Face Regulatory Backlash
Privacy coins like Monero have been facing increasing regulatory scrutiny due to their enhanced anonymity features. These coins obscure transaction flows, making it difficult for regulators and law enforcement to track payments or identify participants. As crypto aims for mainstream adoption, privacy coins have been targeted for facilitating potential illicit financing.
Binance Faces Global Pressure
Binance’s decision to delist Monero suggests a global policy shift driven by pressure from regulators worldwide. Despite Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao pleading guilty to violating US sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering laws in 2023, the exchange continues to face bans in multiple states and struggles to comply with increasing regulatory constraints.
Uncertain Future for Privacy Coins
With Binance and other top exchanges delisting privacy coins, these tokens face an uncertain future in the crypto industry. It appears that the industry is leaving privacy coins behind as it moves towards greater compliance and transparency.
Hot Take: Binance Delisting Monero Signals Regulatory Pressure
The delisting of Monero by Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, indicates the growing regulatory pressure on the crypto industry. Despite founder Changpeng Zhao’s legal troubles, Binance continues to face bans and struggles to comply with regulations. With other exchanges following suit, privacy coins like Monero face an uncertain future in a crypto industry that prioritizes compliance and transparency over anonymity. This delisting could be a sign of the slow demise of Binance, as it loses its ability to support assets based on its own discretion. The industry is moving away from privacy coins, leaving them behind in the pursuit of mainstream adoption.