South Korea Declares Bitcoin on Exchanges as Seizable Property
South Korea's Supreme Court rules Bitcoin on centralized exchanges can be seized under criminal law.
- Bitcoin held on exchanges now qualifies as property under criminal law.
- Court ruling follows seizure of BTC in a money laundering case.
- Decision strengthens legal clarity for crypto asset treatment.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of South Korea has ruled that Bitcoin held on centralized exchanges qualifies as seizable property under criminal law. This decision marks a major step toward formal recognition of digital assets within the country’s legal system, especially when those assets are connected to criminal activity.
The ruling stems from a case involving a suspect accused of laundering money through cryptocurrency. Authorities seized 55.6 BTC — worth around 3.5 billion Korean won — from the individual’s exchange account. The defendant argued that Bitcoin couldn’t be seized like traditional property because it lacks a physical form. However, the court disagreed, stating that digital assets like Bitcoin have clear economic value and can be independently managed and transferred, thus qualifying as property under the law.
Crypto Now Clearly Covered Under Criminal Law
This decision reaffirms that under South Korean criminal law, property does not need to be tangible to be subject to seizure. The court emphasized that Bitcoin’s unique characteristics — such as being tradable and having monetary value — make it equivalent to assets like stocks or bonds when it comes to law enforcement.
The ruling strengthens legal clarity for regulators, prosecutors, and courts in handling digital asset-related crimes. With this decision, any Bitcoin or cryptocurrency held in custodial wallets on centralized exchanges can be legally seized if tied to illicit activities such as fraud, money laundering, or other offenses.
Implications for Crypto Users and Exchanges
This ruling sends a strong message to both crypto users and exchanges operating in South Korea. For users, it highlights the need for caution when using centralized platforms, as assets held there are subject to government enforcement. For exchanges, it may result in tighter oversight and compliance responsibilities, especially in terms of user data and transaction monitoring.
The court’s decision aligns South Korea with other countries that already treat cryptocurrency as property in legal disputes, enforcement cases, and taxation. It also sets a precedent for future legal treatment of digital assets across Asia.
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