Cryptocurrency comovements and crypto exchange movement: The relocation of Binance

Abstract

Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by traded value, relocated from Hong Kong (origin market) to Malta (destination market). This study exploits this relocation event by examining the comovement of Binance's native token with the native tokens of other cryptocurrency exchanges in the origin and destination markets. Using multivariate regression analysis, our results show that Binance experienced a significant decline in comovement with its origin market after moving to Malta. The results are less evident for the destination market; however, an increase in comovement immediately after the relocation of Binance is notable.