Bithumb, the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in South Korea, has unveiled its latest offering – TRC20-USDT, a Tether’s USDT variant issued on the TRON network, and has introduced a trading pair with the Korean won. This announcement holds particular significance as South Korean exchanges traditionally operate with Korean Won or BTC as their primary denominations. Notably, its main competitor, Upbit, the largest exchange in the country, currently does not feature USD stablecoins.
Deposit commencement: December 7, 2023 [Thursday] at 11:00 am.
Commencement of trading: December 7, 2023 [Thursday] at noon.
Established price: 1,316 won.
This strategic move aligns with Bithumb’s broader ambitions, including an impending initial public offering [IPO] aimed at instilling investor confidence, reshaping the market dynamics currently dominated by Upbit with an 85% trading volume share, and reclaiming the top position in the market. The IPO, anticipated in the second half of 2025, represents a historic milestone as the first-ever for a major virtual asset trading platform in South Korea.
For the IPO process, Bithumb has enlisted Samsung Securities as its underwriter and is initially eyeing a listing on the Korean KOSDAQ exchange. However, the final decision on whether to opt for the main KOSPI bourse will depend on market conditions closer to the planned IPO date.
Bithumb Navigate Legal and Regulatory Challenges
Typically, companies preparing for an IPO anticipate enhanced governance transparency and external validation of internal controls, potentially luring users back to the platform that saw a decline in its leading position amid a series of controversies in recent years.
As reported by TronWeekly, former Bithumb Chairman Lee Jeong-hoon faces potential prosecution with a maximum sentence of an eight-year prison term for alleged fraud amounting to 110 billion won. The prosecution alleges that he caused significant financial harm by deceiving BK Group Chairman Kim Byeong-gun. The court has scheduled the next appeal hearing for January 18th next year, adding another layer of complexity to Bithumb’s current situation.
Simultaneously, South Korean authorities have toughened their stance on unlicensed digital asset exchanges by joining forces with key industry stakeholders to crack down on what they claimed to be illegal entities. The Financial Intelligence Unit [FIU] has enlisted the assistance of the Digital Asset Exchange Association [DAXA], an industry organization comprising major exchanges in South Korea, including Coinone, Bithumb, Korbit, and Upbit, in this regulatory initiative.