Philippines SEC orders Apple, Google to remove Binance from app stores

The Philippines Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered Apple and Google to remove the Binance app from their respective app stores for users in the Philippines.

According to CoinTelegraph, a press release by the SEC on April 23 said it is working with Apple and Google to remove applications operated by Binance, the biggest crypto exchange in the world. It confirmed that the big tech companies received separate letters to that effect on April 19.

“The SEC has identified [Binance] and concluded that the public’s continued access to these websites/apps poses a threat to the security of the funds of investing Filipinos,” the SEC said.

Chair of the SEC, Emilio Aquino explained that Binance selling or offering unregistered securities to locals and acting as an unregistered broker is against the laws of the country’s securities regulation.

He added that by removing Binance applications from the digital app marketplace the big tech companies would help reduce the spread of illegal activities in the country’s securities sector.

This move by the SEC follows the blocking of access to Binance websites by the SEC and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on March 25.

The Philippines SEC has actively warned its citizens to desist from using Binance for investing since November 2023 citing that the crypto exchange was yet to secure a license to solicit investment from the public or operate an exchange to buy and sell securities.

The Philippines is the latest country to make moves to ban Binance from its shores following compliance concerns and accusations of illegality.

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