Upbit Faces FIU Sanctions and $25M Fine

34,777 KYC Violations Lead to Sanctions

The South Korea Financial Intelligence Unit has sanctioned Upbit operator Dunamu Inc. with a $25 million fine and a three-month user onboarding ban for KYC violations.

This suspension highlights regulatory challenges exchanges face, impacting Dunamuโ€™s operations, but current Upbit users continue trading unaffected, while Dunamu plans to appeal the decision.

34,777 KYC Violations Lead to Sanctions

The South Korean Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) sanctioned Dunamu Inc., Upbitโ€™s operator, for KYC violations involving 34,777 incorrect ID documents. Dunamu faces a three-month suspension and a $25M fine for processing orders with unverified data. Upbit seeks to strengthen investor protection.

โ€œWe will reinforce investor protection measures andโ€ฆ prevent a recurrence to ensure a safe trading environment,โ€ said a Dunamu spokesperson.

User Registrations Halted Amid Penalties

Upbitโ€™s existing users will continue trading uninterrupted despite the sanction. New user registration is halted, affecting market positioning. The financial penalty could impact Dunamuโ€™s future strategies. Regulatory scrutiny increases following past security breaches linked to Lazarus Group.

Read more about regulatory scrutiny.

Ongoing Compliance Issues Highlighted by FIU

Previous actions against Upbit include deposit and withdrawal suspensions post-breaches, underscoring ongoing compliance challenges. Kanalcoin analysts suggest enhanced regulations may foster stronger security measures. The current penalties reflect a continued gap in AML practices.

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