South Korea to impose new curbs on cryptocurrency trading

The steps will include a ban on opening anonymous cryptocurrency accounts and new legislation to allow regulators to close virtual coin exchanges if needed.

south korea, south korea cryptocurrency, world news, indian express news

It noted that trading prices of most virtual currencies were much higher on South Korean exchanges than they were on exchanges in other countries. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

South Korea’s government said on Thursday it will impose additional measures to regulate speculation in cryptocurrency trading within the country. “The government had warned several times that virtual coins cannot play a role as actual currency and could result in high losses due to excessive volatility,” the government said in a statement.

It noted that trading prices of most virtual currencies were much higher on South Korean exchanges than they were on exchanges in other countries, although it did not provide specific examples.

The steps will include a ban on opening anonymous cryptocurrency accounts and new legislation to allow regulators to close virtual coin exchanges if needed, a measure recommended by the justice ministry, the statement said.

Story continues below this ad

South Korea had previously announced its plan to tax capital gains from cryptocurrency trading to tackle what it sees as the risk of excessive speculation.

Bitcoin, the world’s biggest and best-known cryptocurrency, has gained more than 19-fold this year.

In South Korea, bitcoin has been extremely popular, drawing wide participation from housewives and students. As of 0304 GMT, it stood at $14,384 on the Luxembourg-based Bitstamp exchange.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Once an MP, rape-convict Prajwal Revanna is now a clerk at prison library

Cities1 hr ago

Former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former PM H D Deve Gowda, has been assigned clerical duties at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison after receiving a life sentence for rape. He earns Rs 520 per day and faces multiple charges stemming from four cases, with evidence including videos of the assaults recorded on his phone. He was found guilty in one case and still faces trial in the others.

View all shorts

Live Blog