Bithumb Wins Court Reprieve After $24.6M AML Fine

• Bithumb resumes operations after Seoul court blocks FIU’s six-month suspension
• Crypto platforms face intensified scrutiny, tougher compliance audits in South Korea

On April 30, 2026, Yonhap News reported that a Seoul court overturned the Financial Intelligence Unit’s (FIU) six-month partial business suspension imposed on Bithumb, permitting the crypto exchange to continue normal operations. The court granted Bithumb an injunction against the enforcement of the FIU order, which had targeted the platform over 6.65 million anti-money laundering (AML) violations—including transactions with unregistered overseas exchanges. Authorities fined Bithumb $24.6 million for these violations, but the court’s decision allowed the company to operate while legal proceedings continue.

The ruling closely follows a recent legal outcome for Bithumb’s rival, Upbit. A court canceled Upbit’s suspension and fine after finding reasonable compliance steps had been taken, underscoring inconsistencies in regulatory enforcement and judicial response across the industry. Despite the injunction, Bithumb remains under active investigation by South Korean authorities, specifically regarding order-book sharing practices and broader compliance issues.

The regulatory environment in South Korea is growing more stringent. New industry rules require frequent internal controls, third-party audits, and robust risk management structures across all major cryptocurrency platforms. These measures follow a Financial Services Commission (FSC) inspection, initiated partly due to Bithumb’s February payout error. Regulators are intent on ramping up monitoring, with further compliance reviews and enforcement actions expected as oversight intensifies.

According to Yonhap News, Bithumb’s court victory lets the exchange maintain operations under increased regulatory pressure and ongoing scrutiny from financial authorities.