South Korea’s FIU Launches Probe into Bithumb’s Order Book Sharing with Stellar - Regulatory Storm Brewing

South Korea's financial watchdog turns up the heat on crypto exchanges as Bithumb faces investigation over its Stellar integration.

Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies

The Financial Intelligence Unit's probe targets Bithumb's controversial order book sharing arrangement with Stellar - a move that's raising eyebrows across the cryptocurrency landscape. This isn't just routine oversight; it's a full-scale examination of how major exchanges handle sensitive market data.

Cross-Platform Data Sharing Under Microscope

Bithumb's integration with Stellar's decentralized exchange protocol has drawn regulatory attention for potentially blurring lines between centralized and decentralized finance. The FIU wants answers about how order book information flows between the platforms and whether proper safeguards exist.

Industry-Wide Implications

This investigation could set precedents for how regulators approach exchange partnerships moving forward. While Bithumb maintains the arrangement enhances liquidity, authorities seem more concerned about market transparency and investor protection in an ecosystem where traditional financial rules often play catch-up.

As regulators scramble to keep pace with innovation, this probe serves as another reminder that in crypto, what's technically possible often clashes with what's legally permissible - especially when you're dealing with financial authorities who still think blockchain is something you use to secure bicycles.

Liquidity benefits under scrutiny

Order book sharing is a practice in which buy and sell orders from one exchange are displayed and matched on another platform. It is relatively common in the crypto trading space. Proponents say it boosts liquidity and allows smaller exchanges to compete with larger rivals, among other perks.

However, regulators tend to review this process closely due to the risks it carries because by connecting order flows across jurisdictions, exchanges may unintentionally allow unverified customers or illicit transactions to FLOW through their systems. 

South Korean authorities, as expected, are concerned about their ability to monitor foreign users who gain indirect access to domestic trading platforms.

Bithumb deals with legal hurdles and regulatory pushback

The Special Financial Transaction Information Act prohibits South Korean exchanges from brokering trades with other platforms unless it is fully compliant with its set rules for that category. Some of these rules include confirming the foreign partner’s license from its home regulator, verifying customer information for non-South Korean traders, and ensuring that local authorities can access transaction data upon request, among others.

According to people familiar with the FIU’s probe, Bithumb’s arrangement with Stellar may fall short on several counts. Authorities are said to be questioning whether the South Korean exchange conducted sufficient due diligence on Stellar’s licensing status and whether it can credibly vouch for the identity of Stellar’s customers.

One issue that may be a stumbling block in Bithumb’s MOVE to stay 100% compliant is the requirement to provide South Korean regulators with access to foreign customer data. Experts note that sharing such information across borders with the regulator of another country raises privacy and data-protection concerns, especially when considering that each jurisdiction has its own unique data laws.

So, even if Bithumb wanted to comply, it is unclear whether Stellar has the infrastructure or legal authority to share detailed customer information with South Korean authorities. However, a Bithumb official said that they discussed this with the Australian exchange.

South Korea’s crypto sector is watching scrutiny on Bithumb 

Bithumb has defended its decision, saying the partnership with Stellar was made in consultation with financial authorities and that the company remains committed to following local regulations. But it seems the bone of contention for the authorities is Bithumb’s implementation of these procedures. 

However, given the available information, it’s not clear to what extent Bithumb has been compliant or non-compliant. 

If regulators rule against Bithumb, it may discourage other South Korean exchanges from pursuing similar liquidity-sharing arrangements.

The investigation comes as South Korea cements its role as one of the world’s most tightly regulated crypto markets. Since the collapse of TerraUSD in 2022, regulators have closely watched exchanges and the crypto industry in general, demanding stronger AML protocols and putting in place tighter controls over customer verification.

The smartest crypto minds already read our newsletter. Want in? Join them.