Binance App Vanishes from Google Play in Spain, Latvia

The Binance Android app has disappeared from Google Play in Spain and Latvia, with users in both countries reporting they can no longer find it in search results. Checks in Poland showed the app remained available, meaning the restriction is limited to certain European Union markets rather than the whole region.

A Binance spokesperson said the exchange is aware that Google Play updated its policies, affecting crypto app updates in what it called "certain markets." The company said it is working with Google to resolve the issue but did not name the affected countries or specify which policy changes triggered the removal.

The timing has drawn attention because Binance recently withdrew its MiCA license application in Greece, shortly before the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets framework took full effect on July 1. After the deadline, the company told some European users that certain services would become unavailable, though cryptocurrency withdrawals would continue.

OKX Europe CEO Erald Ghoos wrote on X that Binance had been removed from Google Play because of MiCA licensing requirements. Binance has not confirmed that explanation. Instead, the exchange pointed to the Google Play policy update as the direct cause.

A user in Spain confirmed to Cointelegraph on Monday that Binance no longer appeared in Google Play search results. The app remained available through Oppo's App Market, suggesting the restriction does not extend to every Android marketplace. A user in Latvia reported the same problem. Poland showed no change.

Earlier this month, Binance stopped offering trading services in France and other European countries where it had not secured MiCA authorization. French customers retained access to withdrawals, but spot and margin trading were suspended after the regulatory transition period ended. Binance said user assets remained secure and encouraged customers who needed uninterrupted trading to transfer assets to regulated platforms or self-custody wallets.

MiCA allows exchanges with authorization from one member state to passport services across the European Union and the wider European Economic Area. Coinbase has established Luxembourg as its regulatory hub after securing authorization from the country's financial regulator, letting it operate across all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Ripple obtained full authorization in Luxembourg after first receiving preliminary approval, allowing it to provide regulated payment, custody and stablecoin services throughout the EEA.

Licensed exchanges have moved to attract customers affected by Binance's restrictions. Coinbase launched a campaign offering eligible European users a 5% bonus for transferring assets from exchanges that had not completed the MiCA licensing process. OKX promoted regulated alternatives to users across eligible markets.

Bruna Szego, chair of the EU Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism, warned that exchanges leaving the market could experience heavy withdrawal activity while licensed platforms might face operational pressure from large numbers of incoming customers.

Binance has not said whether the Google Play availability issue will affect access to existing accounts. Users who already have the app installed have not been told that access has changed. The exchange said it is working with Google on a solution but did not provide a timeline.

Outside Europe, Binance.US chief executive Stephen Gregory said the exchange is working to rebuild its market position after two years of regulatory setbacks, targeting a return to a 20% share of the domestic crypto trading market. He stressed that Binance.US operates as a separate U.S.-only entity with its own governance despite sharing the Binance brand.