Binance crypto exchange has announced the launch of crypto futures products in Bahrain after receiving regulatory permission.  With this Binance Bahrain BSC becomes the  first regulated exchange in the region to offer these services and the only exchange with a CAT4 licence.

The launch of these products follows a comprehensive regulatory review and consultation period to ensure that Binance Bahrain BSC, which operates the regulated Binance Bahrain platform, has met the necessary compliance and governance requirements to offer futures products locally in a regulated manner.

Eligible local users must complete and pass a mandatory suitability assessment questionnaire in order to access the products.

Tameem Al-Moosawi, General Manager of Binance Bahrain, said: “Binance is committed to compliance and its users, and we are focused on building the local digital assets ecosystem that is sustainable for the long-term.”

This announcement comes after cryptocurrency exchange Binance announced it  will suspend its crypto debit card services in Latin America and the Middle East from Aug. 25. The crypto debit card services in Latin America and the Middle East will be terminated by Sept. 21, but the exchange claimed refunds and disputes can still be processed until Dec. 20, 2023.

Binance was working with Mastercard in Bahrain but the crypto card program has been ended. Mastercard and crypto exchange Binance  ended four crypto card programmes in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Bahrain as of Sept. 22, a spokesperson for Mastercard said via email on Thursday.

The Binance cards allowed users to make payments in traditional currencies, funded by their cryptocurrency holdings on the exchange.