Navigating the Future of Cryptocurrency: Insights from SB Seker of Binance
SB Seker, the head of Asia Pacific at Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally, holds a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital assets in the region. With over 20 years of experience spanning legal, compliance, and blockchain markets, Seker is dedicated to fostering growth, user protection, and regulatory cooperation. An interview with Seker offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies, particularly in Asia.
The Four-Year Market Cycle: A New Perspective
Seker reflects on the age-old notion of the cryptocurrency market cycle, emphasizing that digital assets have matured beyond being mere retail-driven products. "Digital assets are now a mainstream investment ecosystem," he asserts, as institutional and corporate interest continues to grow. Despite a global digital asset adoption rate hovering around 7-8%, Seker sees significant room for growth. Market corrections, he notes, are a normal part of this maturation, various factors—like infrastructure improvements and increasing regulatory clarity—suggest a bullish long-term outlook for the sector.
In 2023, Seker observes a marked increase in on-chain activity, particularly within the Bitcoin and Ethereum ecosystems, pointing to stablecoins as a major driver of this engagement. With expectations of rapid evolution in the industry, he identifies four key areas of growth over the next five years: institutional integration, tokenization of real-world assets, stablecoin utility, and regulatory alignment.
Binance’s Strategic Plans for Asia
Asia-Pacific is characterized by dynamic market conditions, with varying paths to digital asset adoption across different countries. Seker highlights key markets like India, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia, each experiencing unique trends in adoption.
In India, for example, high transaction volumes indicate a rapidly growing community. Meanwhile, South Korea is set to benefit from the newly implemented Virtual Asset User Protection Act, and Japan is seeing corporate adoption fuel year-on-year growth. Singapore and Hong Kong are noted for their regulatory innovation, emphasizing transparency and investor protection, while Australia modernizes compliance mechanisms.
Binance’s approach revolves around responsibility and collaboration. As a leader in compliance—with 22 regulatory approvals—Seker emphasizes building trust with regulators rather than just pursuing trading volumes. This commitment to education is evident through Binance Academy’s extensive training programs, influencing millions of users globally, particularly within Asia.
The Regulatory Landscape in India
Seker believes that India’s regulatory framework for digital assets is poised for evolution in the coming years. Although exchanges currently operate under an AML registration framework, Seker anticipates a shift toward a licensing regime that fosters innovation while ensuring investor protection. Binance collaborates closely with the Financial Intelligence Unit of India (FIU-IND), showcasing compliance as a current operational priority.
As India gains recognition as a leading market for crypto adoption, ranking first in the Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index, Seker sees the country as crucial in shaping regulations that can balance innovation with safety.
Challenges and Opportunities in Asia
Asia presents both remarkable opportunities and significant challenges in the crypto space. With digital asset inflows in the region skyrocketing from US$1.4 trillion to US$2.3 trillion between mid-2024 and mid-2025, Seker highlights the diverse regulatory landscape as a major challenge. While markets like Singapore and South Korea boast clear frameworks, others still lack foundational rules.
Seker pointed out that proactive regulatory measures have tangible benefits, citing a 23% reduction in crypto-related fraud in APAC since 2023. This underscores the need for credible governance in building trust within the market. Binance aims to lead with responsibility by engaging with regulators and contributing to sound policy design.
The Promise of Tokenization
Tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) emerges as a vital opportunity for growth in the crypto ecosystem. Seker echoes the World Economic Forum’s ambitious prediction that by 2027, 10% of global GDP could be tokenized. This aligns with market trends, suggesting massive investment potential as regulatory frameworks evolve to accommodate this shift.
Countries like Singapore and Hong Kong are already laying the groundwork for tokenized assets through established regulatory pathways, driving forward a robust landscape for RWA. Stablecoins, according to Seker, will continue to anchor this expanding economy, with new frameworks recognizing their legitimacy.
Onboarding New Users at Binance
As Binance seeks to broaden its user base, Seker emphasizes that onboarding new users involves more than just increasing volumes; it’s about empowering diverse participation across the digital asset landscape. With tailored solutions for retail users, businesses, and institutional investors, Binance is committed to facilitating greater engagement.
For retail users, especially in Asia, education plays a central role. Binance Academy provides vital resources, while innovations such as AI-powered smart wallets enhance the user experience.
Simultaneously, Binance Pay is bridging businesses to the digital asset economy, showcasing impressive transaction volumes across various markets. The platform’s advanced analytics tools and custody services are pivotal in attracting institutional investors seeking to navigate the landscape effectively.
The U.S. vs. Asia: Crypto Capital Dynamics
While the United States has traditionally served as a hub for technological innovation—impacting the cryptocurrency world—Seker highlights Asia’s unique advantages. The region boasts a digitally savvy population and increasingly robust regulatory frameworks.
Despite the U.S. setting significant policy benchmarks, Asia is emerging as a dominant player in digital asset adoption. Seker emphasizes that while the U.S. nurtures institutional growth through clearer regulations, Asia is defining the future of Web3 utility through active, widespread engagement.
In this evolving narrative of cryptocurrency, Seker presents a vision where Asia is not just a participant but a significant driver of innovation and adoption in the global digital asset landscape.
