South Korea Blocks 27 Crypto Websites, Including KuCoin

South Korea has ordered domestic access blocked to 27 crypto websites, including KuCoin and MEXC, as part of action against unregistered crypto operators. The Financial Intelligence Unit disclosed the decisions on Oct. 13.

The country’s communications standards regulator issued the decisions after deliberations on Oct. 6 and 7, following a request from the FIU. The restrictions cover foreign crypto providers serving South Korean customers and domestic businesses.

South Korea requires these operators to register and meet requirements that include certification under its Information Security Management System. Authorities consider Korean-language websites, marketing aimed at South Korean users and support for payments in South Korean won when assessing whether a foreign provider operates in the country.

The blocks may prevent existing customers from reaching their accounts and requesting withdrawals. The FIU acknowledged that users with assets on the affected platforms could face withdrawal limits or other difficulties.

The FIU plans to publish withdrawal methods and procedures through the Digital Asset Exchange Alliance, or DAXA, with cooperation from the affected operators. It has not provided a service-by-service timetable or confirmed withdrawal route for KuCoin or MEXC customers.

South Korea had already restricted new installations and updates for apps from unregistered operators in major app marketplaces. Google Play blocked 17 such apps, including KuCoin and MEXC, in the country on March 26, 2025.

The FIU urged users to withdraw crypto assets and deposits after identifying an unregistered operator. It warned users not to provide private keys, login details or copies of identification documents to those platforms.

Authorities can seek website blocks after detecting unregistered business activity without waiting for confirmed customer losses or a court ruling. They plan to monitor replacement website addresses and request further blocking reviews if operators continue serving South Korean users through changed domains.