South Korea Uncovers $101M Crypto Laundering Ring Amid Regulatory Shift
South Korean customs authorities have dismantled a $101.7 million cryptocurrency laundering operation involving three Chinese nationals. The scheme, active from September 2021 to June 2025, exploited cross-border crypto transfers disguised as legitimate expenses like medical tourism and education payments.
The crackdown coincides with South Korea's progressive crypto policy reforms. Regulators recently lifted a nine-year ban on corporate crypto investments, allowing listed companies to allocate up to 5% of equity capital to top-20 cryptocurrencies traded on major domestic exchanges.