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Upbit is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea. It was launched by Dunamu in October 2017.
Upbit and Bithumb to Delist DRIFT
According to an official announcement, Upbit and Bithumb have stated that member companies of the Korea Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA) plan to terminate trading support for DRIFT. The reason for terminating DRIFT trading is that the foundation’s explanatory materials alone are insufficient to alleviate concerns that led to the project’s inclusion on the “Trading Caution List.” Furthermore, after a comprehensive review of all aspects related to the project’s progress, it was determined that the project fails to meet the criteria required to maintain trading support. DRIFT trading (buy/sell) will end on June 1, 2026, at 16:00 KST. Support for DRIFT withdrawals will be terminated on July 1, 2026, at 16:00 KST.
South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission launches investigations into Upbit and Bithumb, focusing on cross-border transfers of personal information via order book sharing.
According to SBS Biz, South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission has completed on-site inspections of Upbit and Bithumb and is now reviewing whether the two exchanges violated regulations by transmitting users’ personal information when sharing order books with overseas platforms. Results are expected to be announced in the second half of the year. The core of the dispute lies in whether personally identifiable information was transmitted alongside order books during the sharing process. South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act stipulates that cross-border transfers of personal information require prior user consent; violations may trigger sanctions. Currently, Upbit shares its order book with Upbit APAC and Tether’s markets, while Bithumb previously shared its order book with the Australian exchange Stellar. Meanwhile, Bithumb is also engaged in a legal battle with financial regulators over alleged violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Financial Transactions. A court ruling on the validity of certain business suspension orders against Bithumb is imminent.
Singapore Police Force Collaborates with Cryptocurrency Platforms to Intercept Over S$2.86 Million in Fraud Proceeds Within a Month
According to the Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore’s Police Anti-Scam Centre and the Cybercrime Investigation Division collaborated with cryptocurrency platforms including Coinbase, Coinhako, StraitsX, and Upbit in a month-long targeted enforcement operation from March 16 to April 15 this year, successfully intercepting over S$2.86 million in scam proceeds. During the operation, authorities used analytical tools from blockchain intelligence firms TRM Labs and Chainalysis to identify victims involved in multiple scam categories—including impersonation of government officials, investment scams, job scams, and online romance scams—and carried out more than 90 direct interventions via telephone and in-person contact. The police stated that the operation’s success stemmed from a rapid information-sharing mechanism between law enforcement agencies and private-sector platforms, and emphasized their continued commitment to deepening public-private collaboration to counter increasingly sophisticated cryptocurrency scams.
Naver Plans IPO for Its Financial Subsidiary; Share Swap Transaction with Cryptocurrency Exchange Dunamu Progresses
According to Tech in Asia, Naver plans to pursue an IPO for its subsidiary Naver Financial within five years after completing a share swap transaction with Dunamu—the operator of South Korea’s Upbit cryptocurrency exchange. Per the shareholders’ agreement signed by both parties, an IPO committee must be established within one year following the completion of the transaction; if the IPO is not completed within five years, the deadline may be extended up to seven years. The specific timing and structure of the IPO have yet to be determined and will depend on market conditions and regulatory developments. Notably, South Korea’s proposed Digital Asset Basic Act could impact the transaction structure, and regulators are also discussing a rule that would cap the maximum shareholding ratio for major shareholders of cryptocurrency exchanges at 20%. Meanwhile, Dunamu’s operating profit for 2025 declined 26.7% year-on-year to KRW 869.3 billion (approximately USD 591 million), primarily due to a slowdown in cryptocurrency trading volume.
Circle CEO: Has Expanded Collaboration with Dunamu and Bithumb to Advance Digital Asset and Stablecoin Adoption in Korea
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire stated that Circle has expanded its collaboration with Dunamu—the operator of Upbit—to support the compliant adoption of digital assets, and broadened its partnership with Bithumb to strengthen stablecoin infrastructure and raise market awareness of stablecoins. Allaire noted that South Korea is rapidly advancing regulation for stablecoins and digital assets, and that local cryptocurrency adoption rates are high. During his time in Seoul, he also met with representatives from KakaoGroup, Coinone, Hashed, Shinhan Bank, KB Financial Group, and Woori Bank.
Circle Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Dunamu, Parent Company of Upbit
According to News1, Circle, the issuer of the stablecoin USDC, has signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dunamu, the operator of Upbit—the largest virtual asset exchange in South Korea. The two parties will jointly advance digital asset education initiatives—including stablecoins—to enhance market participants’ access to information and bolster the credibility of South Korea’s digital asset ecosystem. Oh Kyung-seok, Dunamu’s representative, stated, “Collaborating with Circle—experienced in compliant operations—is highly significant.” Jeremy Allaire, Circle’s representative, emphasized, “South Korea is an exceptionally important market for digital asset innovation.”
Upbit and Bithumb to Delist DRIFT
According to an official announcement, Upbit and Bithumb have stated that member companies of the Korea Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA) plan to terminate trading support for DRIFT. The reason for terminating DRIFT trading is that the foundation’s explanatory materials alone are insufficient to alleviate concerns that led to the project’s inclusion on the “Trading Caution List.” Furthermore, after a comprehensive review of all aspects related to the project’s progress, it was determined that the project fails to meet the criteria required to maintain trading support. DRIFT trading (buy/sell) will end on June 1, 2026, at 16:00 KST. Support for DRIFT withdrawals will be terminated on July 1, 2026, at 16:00 KST.
Upbit to List MEGA/KRW, MEGA/BTC, and MEGA/USDT Trading Pairs
According to the official announcement, Upbit will list MEGA trading pairs against KRW, BTC, and USDT.
Upbit will list MEGA/KRW trading pair
According to an official announcement, Upbit will list the MEGA/KRW trading pair.
Korea's National Tax Service launches preparatory work for virtual asset taxation, targeting implementation in January of next year
the Korea National Tax Service has initiated preparatory work for virtual asset taxation, with the goal of formal implementation in January 2027 and preparation for comprehensive income tax filings in May 2028. According to the current Income Tax Act, income from the transfer and leasing of virtual assets will be classified as "other income," subject to a 22% tax rate on the portion exceeding an annual gain of 2.5 million Korean won, which is expected to affect approximately 13.26 million individuals.The Korea National Tax Service plans to begin collecting data from exchanges such as Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax starting next year, to improve the taxation infrastructure and promote the launch of a comprehensive virtual asset analysis system within the year. However, controversies surrounding taxation standards and the risk of capital flight persist. (Edaily)
Upbit to List BLEND KRW, BTC, and USDT Trading Pairs
According to official sources, Upbit will list BLEND KRW, BTC, and USDT trading pairs.
Upbit to List BLEND/KRW, BLEND/BTC, and BLEND/USDT Trading Pairs
According to the official announcement, Upbit will list BLEND/KRW, BLEND/BTC, and BLEND/USDT trading pairs.
Related news
Upbit and Bithumb to Delist DRIFT
According to an official announcement, Upbit and Bithumb have stated that member companies of the Korea Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA) plan to terminate trading support for DRIFT. The reason for terminating DRIFT trading is that the foundation’s explanatory materials alone are insufficient to alleviate concerns that led to the project’s inclusion on the “Trading Caution List.” Furthermore, after a comprehensive review of all aspects related to the project’s progress, it was determined that the project fails to meet the criteria required to maintain trading support. DRIFT trading (buy/sell) will end on June 1, 2026, at 16:00 KST. Support for DRIFT withdrawals will be terminated on July 1, 2026, at 16:00 KST.
South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission launches investigations into Upbit and Bithumb, focusing on cross-border transfers of personal information via order book sharing.
According to SBS Biz, South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission has completed on-site inspections of Upbit and Bithumb and is now reviewing whether the two exchanges violated regulations by transmitting users’ personal information when sharing order books with overseas platforms. Results are expected to be announced in the second half of the year. The core of the dispute lies in whether personally identifiable information was transmitted alongside order books during the sharing process. South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act stipulates that cross-border transfers of personal information require prior user consent; violations may trigger sanctions. Currently, Upbit shares its order book with Upbit APAC and Tether’s markets, while Bithumb previously shared its order book with the Australian exchange Stellar. Meanwhile, Bithumb is also engaged in a legal battle with financial regulators over alleged violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Financial Transactions. A court ruling on the validity of certain business suspension orders against Bithumb is imminent.
Upbit to List MEGA/KRW, MEGA/BTC, and MEGA/USDT Trading Pairs
According to the official announcement, Upbit will list MEGA trading pairs against KRW, BTC, and USDT.
Upbit will list MEGA/KRW trading pair
According to an official announcement, Upbit will list the MEGA/KRW trading pair.
Korea's National Tax Service launches preparatory work for virtual asset taxation, targeting implementation in January of next year
the Korea National Tax Service has initiated preparatory work for virtual asset taxation, with the goal of formal implementation in January 2027 and preparation for comprehensive income tax filings in May 2028. According to the current Income Tax Act, income from the transfer and leasing of virtual assets will be classified as "other income," subject to a 22% tax rate on the portion exceeding an annual gain of 2.5 million Korean won, which is expected to affect approximately 13.26 million individuals.The Korea National Tax Service plans to begin collecting data from exchanges such as Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax starting next year, to improve the taxation infrastructure and promote the launch of a comprehensive virtual asset analysis system within the year. However, controversies surrounding taxation standards and the risk of capital flight persist. (Edaily)
Upbit to List BLEND KRW, BTC, and USDT Trading Pairs
According to official sources, Upbit will list BLEND KRW, BTC, and USDT trading pairs.