South Korea Blocks 27 Crypto Exchange Websites, Including KuCoin and MEXC

South Korea has decided to block access to 27 websites of crypto exchanges that are not registered in the country. The list includes KuCoin, MEXC, Phemex and Bitrue. Until now, restrictions applied only to mobile apps.

The country's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) announced it on Tuesday. The decision followed two sessions of the media and communications standards commission, on October 6 and 7.

From 31 apps to 27 websites

According to Cointelegraph, in April 2025 the country blocked downloads and updates of 14 unregistered exchange apps in the App Store. Before that, restrictions hit 17 apps in Google Play. That makes 31 apps in total.

Now websites have been added. Next to KuCoin, MEXC, Phemex and Bitrue, the list includes CoinW, BTCC, BitMart, BingX and DigiFinex, plus other venues.

What triggers a block

The legal basis is the act on reporting and using specified financial transaction information, the country's anti-money laundering law. Platforms that have not registered under it fall under the block.

The FIU explained how it spots venues that serve Koreans. It looks at three things: whether the service is in Korean, whether it is marketed to users in the country, and whether it supports transactions in won.

"With this decision, blocking measures against illegal virtual asset operators will also apply to internet websites, following apps such as those on Apple and Google."

- South Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit, from the announcement of October 13, 2026

How the blocking will work

The mechanism depends on where the site is hosted. If the hosting is in Korea, the service is terminated. If the operator works from abroad, access to its website is closed.

What about withdrawals

The FIU acknowledged that blocking websites may complicate withdrawals for people who already have an account. It promises guidance and support through the Digital Asset eXchange Alliance, DAXA, and cooperation from the operators themselves.

The practical takeaway for clients is simple: check balances on such venues and do not delay withdrawals. You can compare exchanges by status and terms in the Kurslog crypto exchange directory.

The summary in numbers

In a year and a half Korea has gone from 31 apps to 27 websites, and the direction has not changed. For exchanges with Korean-language service, registration becomes a condition of access, not a formality. How many operators come to register and how many stay outside will show in the coming months.