Relationship building is a hedge against debanking — OKX exec

As a seasoned analyst with a keen eye for trends and a deep understanding of the financial landscape, I find myself deeply concerned about the ongoing issue of debanking in the crypto industry. My career has taken me through various turbulent markets, but the threat posed by Operation Chokepoint 2.0 is unique in its potential to stifle innovation and curtail freedom of speech.

Under Operation Chokepoint 2.0, the entire cryptocurrency sector encountered potential risks of being cut off from banking services. In response, Jason Lau, the Chief Innovation Officer at OKX – a crypto exchange and self-custody wallet provider, advised building connections with banks and other key stakeholders as a precaution against such disruptions, according to his statements made to CryptoMoon.

Lau emphasized that the conventional financial system relies heavily on mutual trust, and building strong relationships with banks, regulatory bodies, and other parties is crucial for fostering robust collaborations. (This was discussed during an interview with CryptoMoon.)

“You need to take the time to build relationships with all your stakeholders, including regulators and your banking partners. We’ve spent years and years working with our partners and stakeholders to make sure they understand our business.”

A significant number of tales about Operation 2.0 debanking originated from the United States and American organizations. Yet, it’s crucial to note that debanking is not solely an issue confined to the US; it’s a global concern with potential implications for commerce, technological advancement, and free expression.

Debanking around the world

Based on statements from Binance Australia’s former regional manager, Ben Rose, the platform was given just a twelve-hour heads up before their banking services were terminated. Rose expressed uncertainty about the specific reasons behind this sudden termination, which took place in the dead of night.

By July 2023, secret files disclosed that UK politician Nigel Farage had been expelled from banking institutions because of his political standpoints. This led some UK politicians to advocate for revoking banking licenses when financial institutions infringe upon freedom of speech.

The UK government laid out several consumer-protection provisions for banks, including a three-month notice to customers before account closures, an explicit reason for account closure, and a chance to appeal the closure.

2023 saw crypto businesses encountering rejection from UK banks as well. They frequently faced issues such as an overwhelming amount of documentation, frozen accounts, and denial of applications without clear explanations.

As a researcher delving into the intricacies of the cryptocurrency sphere, I’ve encountered an issue so pervasive that it warranted the attention of none other than the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak. Regrettably, in the year 2024, crypto companies and projects are still grappling with the same challenges that we faced back then.

In 2023, the term “debanking” was among the finalists for Word of the Year at Collins Dictionary, thanks to its increasing popularity within internet communities and digital society.

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2024-12-21 19:31