South Korea, Hong Kong Lead Crypto Market Growth in East Asia

East Asia’s cryptocurrency market is experiencing significant growth, driven by institutional adoption in South Korea and Hong Kong, according to a report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. South Korea leads with $130 billion in on-chain value, while Hong Kong emerges as a major hub due to its unique regulatory framework. Both regions reflect shifting attitudes … Read more

South Korean Regulator Unveils Plan to Inspect Crypto Exchanges for Illegal Practices

South Korea’s financial regulator, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), will inspect crypto exchanges to identify illegal practices following stricter regulations under the Virtual Asset Users Protection Act. The review aims to ensure compliance and safeguard crypto assets, with severe penalties for violations, including life imprisonment for profiting over five billion won illegally. South Korea’s Financial … Read more

South Korea Investigates Telegram Over Deepfake Crime Allegations

South Korean police are investigating Telegram for allegedly facilitating deepfake sex crimes. They plan to work with French investigators following the detention of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France for similar investigations. “Telegram does not readily provide investigation data, such as account information, to us or other state investigative bodies, including those in the U.S.,” … Read more

Yonsei University Joins Ripple’s UBRI to Advance Blockchain Research in South Korea

Yonsei University in South Korea has joined Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI), becoming the 58th global partner and the 12th in the Asia Pacific region. This partnership aims to drive innovation in blockchain research across various disciplines, including artificial intelligence, finance, information systems, and management. Supported by Ripple’s funding and resources, Yonsei University will … Read more

Indonesia and South Korea Sign New Local Currency Agreement to Boost Trade

Bank Indonesia, the Bank of Korea, and South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance have introduced a local currency transaction framework to boost bilateral trade using the rupiah and won. This initiative aims to reduce exchange rate risk and improve transaction efficiency by facilitating direct currency transactions between the two nations, bypassing the need for … Read more

South Korea’s Bitcoin Premium Persists Amid Market Volatility

Despite recent turbulence in the crypto market, bitcoin’s price continues to carry a premium in South Korea. As of 4 p.m. EDT, bitcoin is trading at $59,002 per unit, but in South Korea, the exchange rate hits $59,900, reflecting a 1.52% premium. Despite First Negative Dip Since Oct. 2023, South Korea’s Bitcoin Premium Continues Interestingly, … Read more

Crypto Firm’s CEO Stabbed in Court During Fraud Trial in Seoul

The CEO of cryptocurrency deposit service Haru Invest was stabbed in the neck during his fraud trial in Seoul. The attack occurred in the courtroom, carried out by a man in his 50s. Lee survived the attack with non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital. Crypto Platform’s CEO Stabbed During Fraud Trial The CEO … Read more