BitMEX, KuCoin Among Exchanges Reportedly Facing Sanctions in S. Korea: Here’s Why

South Korean monetary authorities are contemplating imposing sanctions on a number of crypto exchanges which have did not adjust to native rules.

In accordance with a report from native media Korea Financial Each day, the crypto exchanges embody BitMEX, KuCoin, CoinW, Bitunix, and KCEX.

S. Korea to Sanction Crypto Exchanges

The Monetary Intelligence Unit (FIU) of South Korea’s Monetary Companies Fee stated these abroad crypto buying and selling platforms are working illegally within the nation as a result of they’ve did not report as Digital Asset Service Suppliers (VASPs) beneath the Particular Monetary Info Act.

The Particular Monetary Transactions Act states that entities partaking in crypto buying and selling, storage, and administration in South Korea should formally report their actions to the FIU. Failure to take action may appeal to felony punishment and administrative sanctions as a result of the corporations can be thought of unlawful companies.

As well as, these exchanges have been working Korean-language web sites with out offering advertising and marketing and buyer help for South Korean buyers. Consequently, the FIU is now investigating their actions, evaluating applicable procedures with related organizations, and strongly contemplating measures like blocking website entry.

“We’re at the moment reviewing blocking entry to unreported abroad exchanges which might be offering companies to home buyers by session with the Korea Communications Requirements Fee. We’re organizing harm circumstances and associated knowledge to strengthen communication between authorities, and we anticipate to see tangible measures taken inside this 12 months,” said an FIU official.

A Steady Crackdown on Crypto Platforms

This isn’t the primary time monetary authorities in South Korea have made strikes to sanction or block investor entry to non-compliant crypto exchanges. In September 2021, the FIU asked greater than 60 exchanges that might not meet up with the native anti-money laundering (AML) guidelines and registration necessities to close down their companies and exit the nation.

On the time, solely 4 buying and selling platforms, together with Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, and Korbit, have been absolutely operational, whereas about 28 others, which obtained safety certificates, may provide sure companies with out gained settlements.

Moreover, in 2022, the FIU requested the Korea Communications Requirements Fee to dam entry to 16 abroad exchanges that did not report their operations as VASPs. The regulatory company additionally joined forces with native card corporations to dam crypto purchases and fee companies produced from these platforms.

Earlier this 12 months, the FIU revealed there are solely 31 registered crypto corporations in South Korea, down 26% from 42 in 2024. With the most recent crackdown, that quantity is certain to shrink even additional.