Binance Signs MoU to Acquire Brazilian Securities Brokerage Sim;paul Investimentos

Global crypto exchange Binance signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to acquire Brazilian securities brokerage Sim;paul Investimentos.

Sim;paul is a traditional brokerage operator authorized by both the Central Bank of Brazil and the Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM). While Binance has done business in Brazil for some time, pending legislation in that country would require crypto exchanges to have proper licensing, making either opening of a local office or acquiring an existing operator a necessity.

Any deal would require the approval of regulatory authorities, Binance added in its announcement Monday.

In August , Binance suspended the trading of futures contracts on its Brazilian platform to comply with local regulations.

“In a fast-developing market like Brazil, crypto can transform and facilitate people's lives and as such we believe – in full collaboration with local authorities – that Binance has a lot to contribute in developing the community and ecosystem in Brazil,” said Binance founder and CEO Changpeng Zhao.

Sim;paul was founded by João Silveira in 2019, and in October 2020 received authorization from the Central Bank of Brazil to
start operating, according to the company's website.

Brazil is a key strategic market, Binance told CoinDesk recently, noting that in 2021 active transacting users were up 125% versus the previous year.