Connect with us

Business

Upbit crypto exchange receives suspension notice in South Korea

Published

on

South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has issued a suspension notice to Upbit, one of the nation’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, citing alleged violations of Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols. The FIU’s investigation reportedly uncovered between 500,000 to 600,000 instances where Upbit failed to adhere to KYC procedures, potentially exposing the platform to significant fines.

Under South Korean law, each KYC violation can result in a penalty of up to 100 million Korean won (approximately $68,600). Given the volume of alleged breaches, Upbit could face fines totaling up to $34.3 billion. Additionally, the FIU has accused Upbit of engaging in transactions with unregistered cryptocurrency service providers, further compounding its regulatory challenges.

The suspension notice proposes a six-month halt on new user registrations, though existing users would remain unaffected. Upbit has until January 20 to respond to the FIU’s findings, with a final decision on the suspension expected by January 21. This development comes shortly after Upbit’s business license renewal in October 2024, which is now under regulatory review.

Upbit’s situation mirrors broader regulatory scrutiny in South Korea’s cryptocurrency sector. Recently, Lee Jung-hoon, former chair of major exchange Bithumb, was acquitted in an appeal trial related to a significant 2017 data breach. These events underscore the increasing regulatory pressures faced by cryptocurrency exchanges in the country.

Business

7-Eleven South Korea to accept CBDC payments in national pilot program

Published

on

7-Eleven is set to participate in the testing phase of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiative, running from April to June. The retail giant’s involvement highlights the growing push for digital currency integration in everyday transactions.

The pilot program will assess the feasibility of CBDC payments at 7-Eleven stores, allowing customers to make purchases using the digital currency. The initiative is part of a broader effort to explore the real-world application of CBDCs in retail environments, potentially shaping future payment systems.

As central banks worldwide accelerate their digital currency research, private sector collaboration is seen as crucial for widespread adoption. If successful, 7-Eleven’s participation could pave the way for broader CBDC usage across retail and commercial sectors.

The outcome of the testing phase will provide valuable insights into consumer adoption, transaction efficiency, and potential regulatory considerations, influencing how CBDCs are integrated into mainstream financial systems.

Continue Reading

Business

SEC and Gemini ask to pause lawsuit to explore ‘potential resolution’

Published

on

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and crypto exchange Gemini have agreed to pause legal proceedings as both sides explore a potential resolution to their ongoing lawsuit. The move signals a possible settlement in the high-profile case, which centers around Gemini’s now-defunct Earn program.

The SEC initially sued Gemini, alleging that the Earn program—designed to offer users yield on crypto deposits—operated as an unregistered securities offering. Gemini has pushed back against the claims, arguing that its operations complied with regulatory standards.

By pausing litigation, both parties may be looking for a compromise that could set a precedent for crypto lending products in the U.S. A settlement could also provide regulatory clarity for similar platforms navigating SEC scrutiny.

While the outcome remains uncertain, the crypto industry is closely watching the case, as its resolution could impact future enforcement actions and the broader regulatory approach toward digital asset lending services.

Continue Reading

Business

GameStop finishes $1.5B raise to add Bitcoin to its balance sheet

Published

on

GameStop has successfully completed a debt offering, raising capital that may be used to acquire Bitcoin, signaling the company’s deeper foray into digital assets. The move aligns with its broader strategy to diversify beyond traditional retail operations and into emerging financial technologies.

While GameStop has not confirmed the exact allocation of the funds, market speculation suggests that a portion could be used to buy Bitcoin, following in the footsteps of companies like MicroStrategy. The potential investment would reinforce GameStop’s ongoing pivot toward blockchain and digital assets, an effort that began with its NFT marketplace and crypto-related initiatives.

Analysts see this development as part of a growing trend of corporations exploring Bitcoin as a reserve asset amid concerns over inflation and monetary policy. If GameStop proceeds with the acquisition, it could further validate Bitcoin’s role as a strategic investment for publicly traded companies.

The company’s board will ultimately decide how the newly raised capital is deployed. Investors and the broader crypto market are watching closely for any official announcements regarding GameStop’s Bitcoin strategy.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 cryptonews.lk