Binance's Zhao Pushes for ASEAN Crypto License Passport

Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao has called for a mutual recognition framework for crypto asset licenses among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. At the ASEAN Tech Summit 2026 in Manila, he emphasized that the process should be streamlined so companies don't have to repeat the entire licensing process when expanding into another country.

Zhao pointed out that this issue is largely political rather than technical, adding that allowing more licensed platforms to compete would improve service quality and decrease consumer costs. He noted that a regional common licensing framework would reduce regulatory compliance costs for businesses and facilitate cross-border expansion of crypto asset and stablecoin services.