Crypto.com, a Binance competitor, secured full CFTC approvals in September, becoming the first major US crypto platform to do so.
As disclosed, the licenses allow it to offer integrated derivatives services.
Meanwhile, Coinbase is in search of a Federal OCC charter, and Binance has continued to expand its crypto services and partnerships.
Crypto.com secured the full stack of Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) approvals in September.
The company obtained a derivatives clearinghouse organization license and was approved as a Futures Commission Merchant.
This made Crypto.com the first major US platform to receive all these approvals.
The licenses allow the company to offer clients a complete derivatives experience, including trading, clearing, and risk management.
The company also introduced several service upgrades in September.
The Send feature, previously called Pay Your Friends, received a refreshed interface, contact syncing, and support for fiat transfers for the first time.
Users can now send money more easily and connect with their contacts directly through the app. Crypto.com also improved its sports and prediction offerings.
Users can place limit orders, view the order book, and make predictions on recurring financial events, commodities, stock indices, and soccer.
The platform partnered with Underdog for its first business-to-business venture.
The partnership combines fantasy sports, sportsbook, and prediction markets into a single app, offering new ways for users to engage.
These updates show how Crypto.com continues to expand its services and provide more options for users in the growing crypto market.
Coinbase Seeks Federal OCC Charter
At the same time, Coinbase has applied for a national trust charter through the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC).
This follows similar moves by stablecoin issuers Circle and Paxos, as well as fintech company Ripple Labs.
Notably, if approved, the charter will allow Coinbase to manage its own reserves. It takes custody of institutional assets, and expands its offerings in payments and related services.
The company clarified that it does not plan to become a bank. Coinbase said that obtaining regulatory approval would give it clear rules and enable it to offer new services with proper oversight.
The charter could allow the company to grow its business and integrate digital assets more closely with traditional finance.
More importantly, this would help to increase trust and participation among institutional clients.
Coinbase’s move shows how major crypto exchanges are seeking ways to operate under clear regulations while expanding their services.
It is part of a wider trend in the US where cryptocurrency firms are pursuing licenses to offer more secure and regulated financial products.
Binance Expands Services and Partnerships
It is important to mention that leading crypto exchange Binance also made updates in October.
As reported, the exchange launched a crypto-as-a-service solution for licensed banks, brokerages, and stock exchanges.
This allows these companies to offer crypto services to their clients using Binance’s spot and futures markets, liquidity pools, custody solutions, and compliance tools without building their own infrastructure.
Binance Alpha announced the listing of EVAA Protocol and an airdrop campaign for users who earn points on the platform. This rollout gives users additional ways to participate in trading and earn rewards.
In addition, the company also announced a partnership with Ignyte, a leading start-up ecosystem in the Middle East and North Africa.
The alliance aims to create a platform for blockchain and crypto innovation in the region.
It will provide support for entrepreneurs and speed up the adoption of blockchain technology and crypto services.
Through these steps, Binance is extending its reach and helping other companies and regions access crypto services.
The move reflects growing collaboration between large exchanges and traditional financial institutions or regional start-up ecosystems.