According to X posts, OKX CEO Star Xu rejected Binance founder Changpeng Zhao's claim that the exchange's failure to secure a MiCA license was a loss for Europe. Zhao had stated that Binance's Greek MiCA application was "fully compliant" and close to approval before being blocked by "other forces." Xu questioned this framing, asking "What a huge loss? A loss for whom—European regulators or the people of Europe?" and suggested Binance should reflect on why its anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance programs failed to meet regulatory standards.
Xu also raised concerns that Binance continues to serve EEA users through offshore entities rather than licensed EU entities, saying the company's messaging about the withdrawal demonstrated a problematic attitude toward financial regulation. His comments came as the MiCA compliance deadline approaches on July 1, with 244 licenses already approved across the EU.