KuCoin eyes South Korea return after regulatory block
KuCoin eyes South Korea comeback
KuCoin, a global cryptocurrency exchange, is planning a strategic return to the South Korean market, despite being blocked earlier this year for failing to comply with local regulatory requirements.
In March 2025, local authorities ordered Google Play to block access to such platforms, and in April, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) issued a similar directive to the Apple App Store, according to Ainvest.
KuCoin’s strategy and talks with regulators
Despite this regulatory freeze-out, KuCoin remains committed to the South Korean market. In a recent exclusive interview, BC Wong, the newly appointed CEO of KuCoin, confirmed that the exchange is already engaged in talks with South Korean regulators. He emphasized that the company’s priority is to achieve compliance in major jurisdictions — including the United States, European Union, China, India, and potentially Australia — before resuming operations in South Korea.
Increased oversight and challenges for global players
Wong acknowledged that regulatory oversight is significantly stricter today than it was three years ago. He also suggested that South Korea’s approach could be part of a broader strategy to support local exchanges and limit the influence of global platforms. Nevertheless, KuCoin sees an opportunity to return to the market through full compliance and constructive regulatory dialogue.
Regulatory challenges in the EU and KuCoin’s global outlook
Meanwhile, Oliver Stauber, KuCoin’s EU CEO and former Chief Legal Officer at Bitpanda, pointed to inconsistencies in the European Union’s regulatory environment, despite the adoption of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation. While MiCA is intended to create a unified framework for crypto services across the EU, Stauber noted that some member states interpret compliance requirements differently, leading to fragmentation and conflicting decisions.
He warned that certain licenses could be deemed “wrongly assessed” by regulators, creating obstacles for exchanges seeking to comply. Stauber stressed that the regulatory landscape remains opaque and unstable, with some market participants continuing to operate outside of legal frameworks.
KuCoin’s plans to reenter the South Korean market reflect its broader global compliance strategy and its ambition to become a fully regulated international exchange.
Notably, KuCoin recently reaffirmed its commitment to restoring trust in the crypto industry through its “Trust Project” initiative, backed by a $2 billion investment.
