South Korea Cracks Down on Fraudulent Crypto Trading amid Tightening Regulations

As a researcher with experience in the crypto industry, I’m closely following the latest developments in South Korea’s regulatory landscape for digital assets. The recent push by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) to crack down on questionable trading activities and improve investor protection is a welcome move, given the risks associated with cryptocurrencies.


As a regulatory analyst, I’ve noticed an increase in scrutiny from South Korean authorities towards local cryptocurrency exchanges. They are now demanding that these platforms eradicate suspicious trading practices and strengthen investor protections.

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) announced the implementation of a new system yesterday, July 4, for keeping tabs on suspicious cryptocurrency transactions. The FSS requires exchanges to consistently send data to this system to ensure adherence to the impending legislation effective later in July on the 19th.

As a crypto investor, I’m constantly keeping an eye on the market and staying informed about regulatory updates. According to recent statements from the financial regulator, some potential warning signs for suspicious activity include trades that occur at volumes or prices outside of normal ranges. Furthermore, large transactions and unusually slow executions should raise red flags. The regulator’s ultimate goal is to identify and investigate accounts associated with suspected activities.

In the global crypto market scene, South Korea stands out as one of the busiest trading hubs. As early as 2024, the South Korean Won emerged as the preferred fiat currency for converting to and from digital assets, surpassing the US Dollar in this capacity. Approximately 10% of South Korea’s population are active participants in the crypto market, focusing on riskier, smaller coins and alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins).

“According to Matt Younghoon Mok, senior foreign attorney and partner at Lee & Ko in Seoul, the FSS regulations may present substantial hurdles for altcoins that fail to promptly meet regulatory demands.”

South Korean Exchange Review Listing of Over 1000 Altcoins

Over the next six months, I, as a researcher, will be observing the South Korean exchanges as they conduct thorough reviews of over 1,000 altcoins listed on their platforms. Their primary focus is ensuring compliance with the Virtual Asset User Protection Act. Previous reports suggested that these exchanges have commenced their preparations for the imminent arrival of new investor protection rules in South Korea.

An industry organization has expressed doubt that major token delistings will occur on cryptocurrency exchanges. Consequently, the Virtual Asset User Protection Act is not expected to significantly impact trading in speculative tokens right away, according to Bloomberg’s report.

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed with concern the prevalence of questionable trading practices in the market, such as wash trading and pump-and-dump schemes, which can artificially inflate prices and ultimately lead to significant losses for investors. These activities undermine the integrity of the digital asset marketplace and erode trust among investors.

Investors and traders keep a keen eye on the rollout of new safeguards for users and connected measures, eager to evaluate how these developments might influence cryptocurrency markets.

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2024-07-04 15:36