South Korean authorities reportedly looking into blocking crypto exchange platforms

On March 21, local media Hankyung reported that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Financial Services Commission is considering sanctions against crypto exchanges

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Financial Services Commission is reportedly considering imposing sanctions on crypto exchange platforms that may have operated in the country without reporting as an operator to the appropriate regulator.

According to a report by local media Hankyung on March 21, the FIU is planning to take administrative measures against the exchanges.

The regulator is also considering imposing sanctions, such as blocking access to the exchanges, as they begin to prepare countermeasures.

Exchanges operated without VASP reports

The list of exchanges that have allegedly provided services to South Koreans without the appropriate VASP reports includes BitMEX, KuCoin, CoinW, Bitunix and KCEX. The exchanges reportedly provided marketing and customer support to Korean investors without going through the country’s compliance process.

Under the country’s Specified Financial Information Act, operators of crypto sales, storage, brokerage and management are required to report to the FIU. If exchanges don’t comply, their business will be considered illegal and subject to criminal penalties and administrative sanctions.

An FIU official said in the report that measures to block access to the exchanges included in the list are being reviewed. The financial regulator is currently consulting with the Korea Communications Standards Commission, the regulator in charge of the internet, on how they can block access to the exchanges.

South Korean exchanges face scrutiny

Apart from foreign exchanges, South Korean crypto exchanges are also facing scrutiny over suspicions and rumors of financial misconduct.

On March 20, prosecutors raided Bithumb following suspicions that its former CEO, Kim Dae-sik, embezzled company funds to purchase an apartment. The authorities suspect that the exchange and its executive may have violated some financial laws during the apartment purchase. However, Bithumb responded that Kim had already taken a loan to repay the funds.

In addition, rumors of intermediaries getting paid to list projects on Bithumb and Upbit surfaced. Citing anonymous sources, Wu Blockchain said projects claimed to have paid intermediaries millions to get listed on the exchanges.

Upbit responded, demanding the media outlet to disclose the list of digital asset projects that paid brokerage fees.

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