Binance appoints SB Seker as Head of APAC Strategies

In a move considered strategic for the Asia-Pacific area, Binance has chosen SB Seker as the new head for regulatory engagement in APAC. The appointment, reported by international outlets such as CryptoNews and The Block, comes at a time of regulatory realignment in the region and aims to make the exchange’s compliance processes more consistent in key markets.

The regional trends are also confirmed by the geographical reports from the Chainalysis sector, while recent regulatory interventions, such as the audit order issued by AUSTRAC on August 22, 2025, which granted 28 days for the appointment of external auditors, highlight the pressure on the governance of exchanges. It should be noted that this move is part of a trend towards greater convergence between local requirements and global standards, with direct impacts on crypto regulation.

According to data collected by industry analysts we collaborate with, in the last 12–18 months, formal interactions between exchanges and authorities in APAC have increased significantly, with a growing focus on AML, proof-of-reserves, and data governance. The operators we have followed report an increase in public consultations and requests for operational adjustments, especially in hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong.

In brief

• SB Seker will lead the coordination with regulators in APAC and the implementation of local compliance policies.
• The move follows years of global legal pressures on Binance and marks an attempt for greater operational stability in the region.
• Immediate focus on transparency, AML controls, and alignment of products with the frameworks of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
• An increase in regulatory predictability is expected for users and institutional operators in the region.

Who is SB Seker and why did Binance choose him?

Coming from a senior leadership role at Crypto.com, SB Seker boasts a profile that intersects legal expertise, public sector, and fintech. According to media coverage, he managed product development, compliance, and institutional relations in Asia, collaborating with entities like Ant Group and taking on roles with regulatory authorities in Singapore. An interesting aspect is the combination of operational experience and regulatory insight, which often proves crucial in APAC. The mix of operational and regulatory background is the element that Binance aims to strengthen in the region.

Mandate and Operational Priorities in APAC

The appointment of Seker translates into a mandate focused on measurable results and greater traceability of decisions. In this context, the approach is structured by time phases and by compliance and product objectives:

1. Regulatory coordination (0–3 months): opening stable channels with local authorities, mapping country-specific requirements, scheduling technical meetings, and updating internal policies. The coordination, partly centralized and partly local, should reduce frictions and divergent interpretations.
2. Compliance and Controls (3–6 months): enhancement of KYC/AML, audits on critical flows, strengthening of data governance and decision records. It should be noted that custody and asset segregation requirements will also weigh in here.
3. Product and market (within 6–12 months): adaptation of the offering to different frameworks (licenses, disclosure, leverage limits), greater transparency on risk metrics. The stated goal is to bring greater consistency between listing, liquidity, and risk profiles in various markets.
4. Institutional relations (ongoing): participation in public forums, contributions to consultations, and publication of whitepapers with shared operational proposals. In this area, collaboration with other industry counterparts can serve as a lever for common standards.

The context: evolving regulations in Asia-Pacific

The APAC is setting stricter and more uniform standards, also to promote interpretative clarity. In particular:

• Singapore: the regime for Digital Payment Tokens, defined by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, includes limits for retail and requirements for custody and segregation. The supervision aims to mitigate counterparty and conduct risk.
• Hong Kong: the licensing system for Virtual Asset Trading Platforms, established by the Securities and Futures Commission, includes rules on listing, custody, and investor protection. Disclosure is strengthened, including on governance and internal controls.
• Thailand: the strengthening of regulations on advertising and conduct of crypto operators, outlined by the Thailand SEC, requires greater transparency and accountability. The focus is on monitoring practices aimed at retail.

This regulatory framework pushes exchanges towards a standardization of internal processes and a more structured interaction with regulators. An additional effect is the increase in comparability between markets, useful for institutional operators and independent audits.

Data and Trends

• The region includes some of the most active markets for on-chain volumes and retail adoption, as highlighted by industry geographic reports, including those from Chainalysis.
• Pressure is increasing on AML/KYC requirements, proof-of-reserves, and counterparty risk management; recent interventions (e.g., AUSTRAC, August 22, 2025) have introduced precise operational deadlines for external auditors.
• Competition between hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong to attract operators with clear rules and predictable enforcement. An interesting aspect is the convergence on minimum standards of transparency and custody.

The Burden of the Past: Sanctions and Lessons for the Future

In recent years, Binance has faced extensive proceedings and sanctions. Among the most significant events is the agreement with the US Department of Justice, dated 2023, for over 4 billion dollars the DoJ imposed stringent compliance commitments. This precedent pushes the exchange to seek order and regulatory predictability in the highest growth areas, with direct implications on crypto regulation in APAC.

Expected Impact on Users and Market

A stronger coordination with the authorities can encourage the entry of institutional capital, reduce the risks of service disruption, and improve the quality of information for retail investors. The key will be the balance between innovation and regulatory rigor: a balance that, in APAC, directly impacts liquidity, listing, and product strategies. In perspective, greater regulatory predictability tends to stabilize compliance and make licensing paths clearer.

Next Steps to Monitor

• Public agenda of meetings with authorities and participation in ongoing consultations in Singapore and Hong Kong.
• Updates on license registers and/or applications submitted locally.
• New policies on custody, asset segregation, and risk disclosure for retail users.