Binance has obtained its 21st global regulatory approval, this time from Brazil's central bank, Banco Central do Brasil, marking an important step for cryptocurrency adoption in Latin America.
Binance, the leading cryptocurrency exchange globally, has been authorized as a licensed broker-dealer in Brazil, the most populous nation in Latin America.
According to an announcement shared with Cointelegraph, Binance has received approval to acquire Sim;paul, an investment platform based in São Paulo. Sim;paul is a licensed broker-dealer authorized to distribute securities and issue electronic money (EMI).
Binance has become the first cryptocurrency exchange to receive a broker-dealer license in Brazil.
According to data from Messari, Binance's 24-hour trading volume surpassed $18.2 billion at the time of publication, almost three times Bybit's $6.3 billion daily volume, which holds the second position.
FalconX, a crypto brokerage, acquires derivatives startup Arbelos
FalconX, a digital asset brokerage has acquired crypto derivatives platform Arbelos Markets for an undisclosed amount, marking one of the first major crypto acquisition deals of 2025.
Following a report from Bloomberg, this development was confirmed by FalconX’s co-founder and CEO Raghu Yarlagadda in a Jan. 2 X post.
Although the specifics of the agreement were not disclosed, a previous report from Bloomberg on December 31, referencing sources familiar with the situation, indicated that the deal would likely be funded using a mix of FalconX shares and cash.
Yarlagadda said FalconX is now better positioned to create more value for its institutional clients by combining Arbelos’ trading platform with FalconX’s balance sheet and “regulatory readiness.”
Stuart Hoegner, Tether general counsel retires
The general counsel of Tether and Bitfinex, Stuart Hoegner has retired from his role as legal chief at the two firms and he will be replaced by Michael Hilliard, who has been working alongside Hoegner for several years.
In a statement issued on January 2 and shared with Cointelegraph, Tether announced that Hoegner had retired and would be succeeded by the company's current legal counsel as the new general counsel.
In a statement the firm wrote, “Michael’s deep understanding of both companies’ operations, coupled with his strategic approach to legal and regulatory challenges, has been critical to advancing both Tether and Bitfinex’s mission.”
