Binance Nears South Korea Re-entry as Gopax Review Resumes
South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has resumed its review of Binance’s executive change filing for its 67% stake in Gopax, signalling a pivotal step in Binance South Korea re-entry. The Gopax review was halted after AML compliance issues and U.S. legal charges—including a $4.3bn DOJ settlement—cast doubt on Binance’s governance. Following strengthened oversight, regulators may approve by late 2025, enabling Binance to leverage Gopax’s won-denominated licence and enhance market liquidity. Binance’s investment prevented a $47m liquidity crunch linked to Genesis Global Capital, and a failed 2024 stake sale to Megazone ensured its majority control. This milestone comes amid South Korea’s broader crypto regulation tightening—retail lending bans, stablecoin frameworks and spot ETF preparations—highlighting the shift towards institutional-grade oversight. Traders should watch official FIU updates: approval is likely bullish for BNB trading volumes and reinforces confidence in Binance South Korea compliance.
Bullish
The FIU’s resumption of the Gopax review signals a clear path for Binance to re-enter the South Korean market, likely increasing BNB trading volumes in the short term as traders anticipate greater liquidity and access. In the long term, regulatory approval would strengthen Binance’s compliance credentials, boosting investor confidence and potentially driving sustained growth in the region. Historically, exchange approvals in major markets have supported positive price trends; thus, this development is expected to have a bullish impact on BNB as market participants adjust positions ahead of a confirmed green light.