Crypto News: NY-Wyoming Pact, Binance EU MiCA Probe, MetaMask Validator Exit

Regulators in New York and Wyoming have agreed to coordinate oversight of crypto companies operating across both states, signing a supervisory pact that covers licensing reviews, examinations and enforcement actions. The agreement between the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) and the Wyoming Division of Banking allows the two regulators to share investigative information, align examination schedules and conduct joint reviews of firms with operations on both sides. Crypto companies already licensed in one jurisdiction for at least three years without enforcement action may qualify for expedited review in the other, with regulators targeting a decision within six months. The partnership unites two sharply different regimes: New York's stringent BitLicense framework, in place since 2015, and Wyoming's crypto-friendly specialized banking charters.

Binance is facing regulatory scrutiny in Europe over its use of a legal exemption to continue serving EU customers without full authorization under the bloc's crypto rules. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), along with regulators in France, Germany and Greece, are reviewing the exchange's reliance on reverse solicitation under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), according to a Financial Times story published Thursday. Binance withdrew its Greek MiCA application in June and said it would pursue authorization in another EU member state. A Binance spokesperson told Cointelegraph on Sept. 18 that the firm remains committed to operating in Europe on a long-term compliant basis while it continues pursuing MiCA authorization.

Separately, MetaMask began exiting certain Ethereum staking validators while investigating an undisclosed security incident, according to the same daily roundup. The wallet provider did not immediately disclose how many validators were affected or whether user funds were at risk. The developments cap a week of intensifying regulatory and security pressure across the crypto industry, with U.S. state coordination advancing, European watchdogs circling Binance, and infrastructure providers like MetaMask responding to staking-layer threats.