BitMine, the largest corporate holder of Ethereum, has capitalized on the digital asset’s recent price volatility to expand its treasury holdings.

On February 7, blockchain analysis platform Lookonchain reported the transaction, citing data from Arkham Intelligence. The firm acquired approximately 20,000 ETH for a total capital outlay of $41.98 million.

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BitMine Chair Defends Aggressive Buying Amid Crash

Notably, this latest tranche moves the firm significantly closer to its long-term objective of controlling 5% of Ethereum’s total circulating supply. Data from Strategic ETH Reserve shows it has achieved over 70% of that goal with its 4.29 million ETH holdings.

Meanwhile, BitMine’s latest ETH purchase comes at a moment of extreme market fragility.

Ethereum prices have collapsed roughly 31% over the past 30 days, trading around $2,117 as of press time. Over the past week, the asset traded for as low as $1,824, its lowest level since May 2025.

Still, BitMine remain committed to the crypto token, with the firm’s chairman Tom Lee arguing that “Ethereum is the future of finance.”

Consequently, Lee has dismissed concerns regarding the firm’s deepening unrealized losses.

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In a recent statement, Lee argued that the current volatility is “a feature, not a bug.” According to him, Ethereum has weathered drawdowns of 60% or worse on seven occasions since 2018.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and seven regulatory agencies issued a joint statement on Friday prohibiting the unapproved issuance of Renminbi-pegged stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). The directive applies to both onshore and offshore issuers, underscoring Beijing’s intent to keep financial instrumentation closely aligned with state policy while continuing to push the domestic CBDC ecosystem forward. The announcement, signed by the PBOC alongside the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the China Securities Regulatory Commission, reiterates a posture that private crypto activities remain outside the formal financial system unless they receive explicit clearance. A translated version of the statement framed the policy as a guardrail against stablecoins that imitate fiat currency functions during circulation and use.

“Stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies perform some of the functions of fiat currencies in disguise during circulation and use. No unit or individual at home or abroad may issue RMB-linked stablecoins without the consent of relevant departments.”

Winston Ma, an adjunct professor at New York University (NYU) Law School and a former Managing Director at CIC, China’s sovereign wealth fund, weighed in on the development, indicating the ban covers both onshore and offshore RMB variants. He noted that the policy applies to CNH and CNY alike, reflecting a comprehensive approach to RMB-related markets. CNH, the offshore version of the yuan, is designed to maintain currency flexibility in international markets while preserving capital controls, Ma explained.

The overarching narrative here is clear: Beijing intends to quarantine speculative crypto activity from the formal financial system even as it accelerates the broader rollout of e-CNY, the sovereign CBDC managed by state authorities. The policy positions digital yuan usage as the preferred channel for digital financial innovation while signaling a hard boundary against RMB-pegged instruments that could replicate traditional money-like functions outside of official oversight.

Global markets may be entering a new phase of volatility after Goldman Sachs warned that systematic funds could offload tens of billions of dollars in equities in the coming weeks.

This wave of selling could ripple into Bitcoin, gold, and silver as liquidity conditions deteriorate.

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Goldman Warns CTA Selling Could Accelerate as Liquidity Thins

According to Goldman’s trading desk, trend-following funds known as Commodity Trading Advisers (CTAs) have already triggered sell signals in the S&P 500. What’s more, they are expected to remain net sellers in the near term, regardless of whether markets stabilize or continue falling.

The bank estimates that roughly $33 billion in equities could be sold within a week if markets weaken further.

More significantly, Goldman’s models suggest that as much as $80 billion in additional systematic selling could be triggered over the next month if the S&P 500 continues to decline or breaches key technical levels.

Market conditions are already fragile. Goldman analysts noted that liquidity has deteriorated and options positioning has shifted in ways that may amplify price swings.

When dealers are positioned “short gamma,” they are often forced to sell into falling markets and buy into rising ones, intensifying volatility and accelerating intraday moves.

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Goldman also highlighted those other systematic strategies—including risk-parity and volatility-control funds—still have room to reduce exposure if volatility continues to rise. That means selling pressure may not be limited to CTAs alone.

Investor sentiment is also showing signs of strain. Goldman’s internal Panic Index recently approached levels associated with extreme stress.

Meanwhile, retail investors, after a year of aggressively buying dips, are beginning to show fatigue. Recent flows indicate net selling rather than buying.

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Although Goldman’s analysis focused primarily on equities, the implications extend beyond stock markets.

Historically, large, flow-driven equity sell-offs and tightening liquidity conditions have increased volatility across macro-sensitive assets, including crypto.

Bitcoin, which has increasingly traded in line with broader risk sentiment during periods of liquidity stress, could face renewed volatility if forced selling in equities accelerates.

Crypto-linked equities and retail-favored speculative trades have already shown sensitivity to recent market swings, suggesting positioning remains fragile.

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At the same time, turbulence in equities can trigger complex cross-asset flows. While risk-off conditions can pressure commodities, precious metals such as gold and silver can also attract safe-haven demand during periods of heightened uncertainty, leading to sharp moves in either direction depending on broader liquidity trends and the dollar’s strength.

In the meantime, the key variable remains liquidity. With systematic funds deleveraging, volatility rising, and seasonal market weakness approaching, markets may remain unstable in the weeks ahead.

If Goldman’s projections materialize, the coming month could test equities, with a spillover effect on Bitcoin and precious metals.

TLDR:

• Staking entry queue reaches 4.05M ETH, exit queue only 38K ETH, showing overwhelming demand. 
• ETH price remains under $2,000 despite record network activity and staking growth. 
• Large holders and ETFs increase selling pressure, adding short-term market volatility. 
• Selective accumulation occurs during dips, supporting medium-term stabilization in ETH supply.

Ethereum staking demand is reaching unprecedented levels, with over 4 million ETH waiting to enter while exit orders remain minimal.

This surge reflects strong long-term conviction, structural scarcity, and growing network participation despite recent price declines below $2,000.

Staking and Network Activity

Ethereum’s staking queue shows a clear imbalance between entries and exits. The entry queue holds 4.05 million ETH, while exit requests total only 38,000 ETH. 

This demonstrates overwhelming demand. Validators choose long-term yield and network alignment over liquidity. 

The 70-day wait to stake confirms that protocol limits cannot match current demand. Meanwhile, exit orders clear in hours, showing no panic.

This situation reduces circulating ETH and limits immediate sell pressure. When combined with Ethereum’s burn mechanism, structural scarcity increases. 

Therefore, staked ETH effectively leaves the liquid supply, supporting potential upward movement.

Ethereum network usage remains strong. Transfer counts reached 1.1 million on a 14-day average, demonstrating active token movement. 

However, network activity alone cannot reverse recent price declines or short-term selling.

Retail participation is declining. Futures open interest dropped from $26.3 billion to $25.4 billion in one day. 

As a result, network activity contrasts with weak capital flows, causing temporary price compression despite higher usage.

Large Holders, ETFs, and Price Dynamics

Large holders have added to short-term selling pressure. Trend Research sold 170,033 ETH, while Vitalik Buterin and Stani Kulechov sold smaller amounts. 

Consequently, supply increased amid weaker market demand. BitMine Immersion Technologies holds 4.28 million ETH, of which 2.9 million is staked. 

This generates an estimated $188 million annualized revenue. Therefore, staking reduces liquid supply while maintaining long-term treasury support.

Spot ETH ETFs experienced outflows totaling $80.79 million on February 5, with Fidelity’s FETH accounting for $55.78 million. Consequently, passive selling continues steadily, adding supply pressure without quick reversals.

Derivatives data show liquidation risk between $1,509 and $1,800. Leveraged positions could trigger forced selling if prices drop further. 

Meanwhile, selective accumulation occurs as long-term investors buy during dips. ETH may test $1,500–$1,800 if selling persists. 

Simultaneously, staking reduces liquid supply, and high network activity provides gradual stabilization. Thus, structural scarcity continues even while short-term volatility remains.

TLDR:

• Truflation shows US inflation near 0.68% while Federal Reserve maintains restrictive policy stance 
• Credit card delinquencies and auto loan defaults rise, signaling late-cycle economic stress levels 
• Labor market weakening faster than Fed acknowledges with rising layoffs and hiring slowdowns across sectors 
• Monetary policy lag means economic damage may occur before Fed reacts to confirmed weakness in data
  

Is the Fed already too late for rate cuts? This question dominates market discussions as economic indicators increasingly diverge from official central bank messaging.

Real-time inflation data shows rapid cooling while credit stress and labor weakness accelerate across sectors. The Federal Reserve maintains rates at restrictive levels despite mounting evidence of economic deceleration.

Policy timing has become critical as analysts debate whether preventive cuts or reactive measures will shape the next cycle.

Policy Lag Creates Timing Dilemma for Rate Adjustments

Monetary policy operates with substantial delays between action and economic impact. Rate changes require months to fully influence business investment and consumer spending patterns.

By the time official statistics confirm weakness, underlying conditions may have deteriorated significantly. This lag effect raises concerns about the Fed’s current positioning.

Real-time inflation tracking suggests price pressures have cooled dramatically from previous peaks. According to Bull Theory, “Truflation is showing US inflation near 0.68%” while the Fed maintains its cautious stance on price stability.

This reading contradicts central bank statements emphasizing sticky inflation and persistent concerns. The gap between alternative metrics and policy rhetoric continues widening.

Bull Theory highlighted this disconnect in recent market commentary, noting that “the Fed keeps repeating that the job market is still strong” despite contradictory signals.

The analysis emphasized that layoffs, credit defaults, and bankruptcies are rising simultaneously. These developments typically emerge when restrictive policy begins damaging weaker economic participants.

Yet official communications continue to characterize the economy as fundamentally resilient.

Credit markets flash late-cycle warning signals across consumer and corporate segments. Credit card delinquencies have increased alongside auto loan default rates.

Corporate bankruptcy filings are accelerating as higher borrowing costs strain over-leveraged balance sheets. Small businesses face particular vulnerability when capital costs remain elevated for extended periods.

Economic Deterioration Outpaces Fed Recognition Timeline

Labor market conditions show progressive weakening despite central bank assertions of continued strength. Hiring slowdowns and increased layoff announcements paint a different picture than official statements suggest.

Wage trend data indicate a moderating demand for workers across industries. The employment situation is degrading faster than policy rhetoric acknowledges.

The risk equation has shifted from inflation concerns toward deflation threats. Bull Theory warned that “inflation slows spending, but deflation stops spending,” highlighting the danger of delayed policy response.

When consumers expect falling prices, purchasing decisions shift toward delay rather than immediate action. Businesses respond by reducing production and cutting workforce expenses.

Credit stress serves as an early indicator of policy overtightening relative to economic capacity. Rising delinquencies across credit categories demonstrate that households and corporations struggle under current rate levels.

These pressures typically spread from weaker participants to broader segments if conditions remain restrictive. The damage compounds as financial stress feeds back into reduced spending and investment.

The analyst posed a critical question: “If inflation is already cooling, if the labor market is already weakening, if credit stress is already rising, then holding rates restrictive for too long can amplify the slowdown instead of stabilizing it.”

Markets have begun pricing expectations for policy reversal driven by growth fears rather than inflation control. The next phase may hinge on whether rate cuts arrive soon enough to stabilize conditions or merely react to confirmed recession.

Kyle Samani stepped down from Multicoin Capital on February 5, 2026, after nearly a decade as co-founder. Today, he is publicly criticizing Hyperliquid (HYPE) as on-chain data shows Multicoin purchased over $40 million in HYPE tokens.

The close timing has fueled speculation that internal conflicts over investment strategy prompted the departure of one of the most notable Solana advocates in the crypto industry.

Multicoin, Hyperliquid, and Kyle Samani: Coincidence or Clash?

Samani’s departure announcement on February 5 marked a significant shift for Multicoin Capital, a leading force in institutional crypto investment.

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Despite his departure, Samani stated he would remain engaged in cryptocurrency, especially within the Solana ecosystem.

The announcement came only days after MLM analysts flagged wallets believed to be linked to Multicoin accumulating large amounts of Hyperliquid’s HYPE token in late January.

They highlighted purchases totalling tens of millions of dollars. Additional analysis suggests that substantial ETH flows were rotated into HYPE over several days via intermediary wallets.

Notably, no official confirmation has linked the trades directly to Multicoin’s internal strategy decisions.

Today, February 8, just three days after his formal exit, Samani is criticizing Hyperliquid on social media, making his position unmistakably clear.

“Hyperliquid is, in most respects, everything wrong with crypto. The founder literally fled his home country to build Openly, which facilitates crime and terror. Closed source Permissioned,” wrote Samani in a post.

This strong criticism stands in direct contrast to Multicoin’s high-profile investment in HYPE tokens. As a result, observers wondered if Samani’s views clashed with the firm’s recent decisions, helping drive his exit.

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Solana Investment Philosophy Versus HYPE Strategy

Multicoin Capital earned its reputation as a vocal backer of Solana. In September 2025, the firm led a $1.65 billion private investment into Forward Industries, working with Jump Crypto and Galaxy Digital to create what they called “the world’s leading Solana treasury company.”

Samani was named Chairman of Forward Industries’ Board, underlining his importance to Multicoin’s Solana focus.

The Solana investment strategy centered on transparent yields through staking, DeFi protocols, and capital efficiency. Multicoin highlighted Solana’s infrastructure as offering better economics than Bitcoin treasury models, citing native yields of 8.05% as of September 2025.

The firm also released research on Solana projects like Jito, which by March 2025 powered over 94% of all Solana stake via custom block production technology.

Hyperliquid, meanwhile, represents a contrasting approach. The platform is a decentralized perpetual futures exchange with its own blockchain.

It is popular for high leverage and low fees, but faces criticism for its centralized validator system, closed-source code, and regulatory risks. These features appear to oppose the principles Samani promoted at Multicoin.

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Tensions between strategies became more evident as analysts speculated about internal dynamics.

“Does this mean that they couldn’t buy HYPE as long as Kyle was running the fund, which is why his leaving coincides with Multicoin buying a lot of HYPE?” wrote one user.

Kyle Samani did not immediately respond to BeInCrypto’s request for comment.

Supporters Defend Hyperliquid as Samani’s Exit Sparks Ideological Debate

Some investors and traders pushed back strongly against Samani’s criticism. They argue that Hyperliquid represents a return to crypto’s original principles rather than a departure from them.

Hyperliquid’s decision to direct revenue toward token buybacks and community incentives reflects a model designed to more closely align users and infrastructure than many venture-backed projects.

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The divide highlights a deeper ideological split emerging within crypto markets. On one side are investors who prioritize transparency, decentralization, and community ownership as defining principles.

On the other hand, there are those who champion performance, liquidity depth, and institutional-grade infrastructure, even when those systems require trade-offs in governance or architecture.

Samani’s departure itself has not been formally tied to any specific investment decision. Neither Multicoin nor Samani has publicly stated that Hyperliquid or portfolio positioning played any role in the transition.

Sometimes, leadership changes at venture firms often stem from long-term strategic shifts, personal decisions, or fund-structure considerations that may not be visible externally.

Still, the timing has proven difficult for markets to ignore. In crypto, an industry where narratives travel quickly, the combination of on-chain transparency and social media speculation often fills gaps left by limited official disclosures.

Meanwhile, the HYPE token is nurturing a recovery, with a higher low on the 4-hour timeframe, suggesting a trend reversal if buyer momentum sustains.

TLDR:

• Canton Network processes $350 billion in daily repo transactions across over 600 validator nodes globally 
• DTCC tokenizing U.S. Treasuries on Canton with SEC approval, targeting MVP launch in first half of 2026 
• JPMorgan’s Kinexys announced plans to issue JPM Coin deposit token natively on Canton Network in January 
• Platform carries over $6 trillion in tokenized real-world assets with privacy features for regulated firms
  

Canton Network has emerged as a major institutional blockchain infrastructure, processing $350 billion in daily repo transactions.

The Layer 1 blockchain carries over $6 trillion in tokenized real-world assets across more than 600 validator nodes.

Major financial institutions, including JPMorgan, DTCC, Goldman Sachs, and Franklin Templeton, have deployed production systems on the network.

The platform handles over 700,000 daily transactions while maintaining privacy requirements for regulated financial institutions.

Privacy-First Architecture for Regulated Finance

Canton Network operates as a Layer 1 blockchain designed specifically for financial institutions moving real-world assets on-chain.

Digital Asset built the platform around privacy between counterparties, rapid settlement, and native compliance features.

Traditional public blockchains display every transaction to all network participants, creating legal obstacles for banks required to maintain client confidentiality.

Delphi Digital noted that “$350 billion a day settles on a blockchain many people have never heard of.” The network solves privacy challenges through DAML smart contracts that embed access and authorization rules directly into assets and transactions.

Two firms can complete trades without exposing details to outside parties. Regulators maintain necessary access while other network participants cannot view unrelated activity.

Settlement happens atomically, eliminating the multi-day clearing processes common on traditional financial rails. Both sides of trades execute simultaneously, removing windows where one party has delivered while the other has not.

According to the analysis, “there is no window where one party has delivered, and the other hasn’t,” eliminating risk categories in repo markets where hundreds of billions move daily.

The platform enables different financial applications to interact natively across the network. A tokenized treasury on one platform can serve as collateral on another platform within a single transaction.

Cross-application settlement between regulated institutions occurs without central intermediaries, a capability not previously demonstrated at this scale.

Production Deployments from Major Institutions

Daily repo volumes reached $350 billion in recent months, up from $280 billion in August 2025. Broadridge operates its entire Distributed Ledger Repo platform on the network as the first major live deployment. Banks and institutions use repo markets to borrow short-term against Treasury collateral.

DTCC is tokenizing U.S. Treasury securities on Canton Network, backed by SEC No-Action Letter approval. The project targets an MVP release in the first half of 2026 with broader rollout planned for later that year.

DTCC joined the Canton Foundation as co-chair alongside Euroclear. As observers emphasized, this is “not a test. Not a pilot.”

Franklin Templeton expanded its tokenized fund platform to the network, joining Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Börse.

JPMorgan’s blockchain unit Kinexys announced plans to issue JPM Coin, its USD deposit token, natively on Canton Network in January.

Fireblocks subsequently integrated the platform and became a Super Validator, providing regulated custody for institutional clients.

The validator network includes HexTrust and Tharimmune, the first NASDAQ-listed company operating as a super validator. These regulated firms run production systems processing real transactions under regulatory oversight.

The network lacks public block explorers, reflecting its institutional focus. As noted, “Canton was not built for retail. It was built for the firms that move your money.”

TLDR:

• All 200 top insider transactions were sales, marking unusual broad risk reduction among insiders. 
• Bitcoin ETFs saw significant outflows as the price dipped below key technical support levels. 
• ETF flows have fluctuated widely, signaling shifting institutional sentiment toward crypto exposure. 
• Concurrent declines in BTC, ETH, and ETFs indicate heightened market correlation and risk aversion.

The Insider Selling Storm 2026 narrative emerges amid real market stress and mixed institutional flows. Bitcoin recently traded near $63,000–$74,000 after a multi‑month selloff that erased much of 2025’s gains. 

Major Bitcoin ETFs like iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and Fidelity’s FBTC saw outflows and deep losses as prices fell below support levels. 

Despite near‑term weakness, Bitcoin ETF flows have swung between record inflows and heavy redemptions in recent months. This points to a volatile institutional interest as macro risks rise.

Insider Activity Signals Market Caution

High-volume insider trades last week show that all 200 meaningful transactions were sales. No significant purchases occurred, highlighting informed caution across sectors.

Public messaging remains optimistic, but insider behavior diverges sharply. Confidence is high in narratives, yet top-level actors systematically reduce exposure. 

Market participants respond to risk rather than headline sentiment. Structured risk management drives uniform selling patterns. 

Insiders offload overvalued and liquid assets while preserving scarce, durable holdings. Their actions align with simultaneous declines across multiple markets globally.

Trading volume provides further clarity. While prices stabilized temporarily, reduced liquidity suggests relief rallies are absorption events. 

Participants are used strategically as exit points rather than accumulation opportunities. This behavior demonstrates that the market is in a late-cycle phase. 

Distribution occurs quietly as informed sellers convert exposure into liquidity, leaving fewer active buyers for high-risk assets.

Synchronized Declines and Defensive Positioning

Bitcoin fell to $60,000 while silver dipped to $64, and major tech stocks weakened sharply during the same period. Housing shows early signs of reduced activity.

Short-term price recovery is evident but weak. Lower trading volumes indicate the bounce is temporary and driven by selective buyers.

Stablecoins, including USDT and USDC, exhibit steady inflows, signaling defensive capital allocation. Long-duration assets such as Bitcoin, metals, and select real estate remain largely held. 

These assets retain value when financial markets rely on confidence rather than scarcity, emphasizing durability and risk protection.

Relief rallies are distribution phases. Informed participants sell methodically while weaker buyers absorb inventory. 

Market breadth remains thin, and recovery depends on volume expansion, not temporary price movements.

Capital allocation is increasingly selective. Participants seek optionality through liquid assets and avoid overvalued securities. 

Market structure shows calm superficially, but underlying depth reflects cautious positioning and preparation for volatility.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, often dubbed the country’s “Iron Lady,” has secured a historic landslide victory in the February 8, 2026, snap parliamentary elections. Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is projected to win between 274 and 326 of the 465 seats in the lower house, marking the largest post-war electoral margin for any Japanese party.

The decisive result consolidates Takaichi’s authority and positions her to pursue ambitious economic and regulatory reforms.

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Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Secures Landslide Win, Sets Stage for Crypto Tax Reform

Markets reacted swiftly to the outcome. The dollar/yen climbed 0.2% to 157, while the BTC/JPY trading pair rose almost 5%, signaling investor confidence in Takaichi’s pro-growth agenda.

This so-called “Takaichi trade” draws momentum from expectations of fiscal stimulus, loose monetary policy, and increased liquidity.

It has already lifted Japanese equities to record highs, while government bonds and the yen have faced pressure.

US officials quickly weighed in on the result, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calling the victory “historic” and emphasizing the strength of US-Japan relations under Takaichi’s leadership.

Days before, President Donald Trump also offered a full endorsement, highlighting her leadership qualities and recent trade and security successes.

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In turn, Takaichi expressed gratitude, reaffirming plans to visit the White House in spring 2026 and describing the US-Japan alliance as having “unlimited potential” built on deep trust and cooperation.

Takaichi’s Mandate Signals Potential Crypto Tax Overhaul and Blockchain-Friendly Policies

Takaichi’s electoral mandate is widely seen as a green light to accelerate Japan’s crypto reforms. The country currently taxes crypto gains as miscellaneous income at rates up to 55%.

This framework has driven some investors abroad despite Japan’s leading position in blockchain adoption.

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Under discussion for fiscal year 2026 are reforms that could:

• Reduce gains tax to around 20%
• Allow loss carryforwards for three years, and
  Reclassify certain digital assets as financial products.

The general sentiment is that her pro-growth policies and willingness to collaborate with crypto-friendly opposition parties, such as the Japan Innovation Party and the Democratic Party for the People, could finally push these long-awaited measures through by 2028.

Earlier in her tenure, Takaichi endorsed policies supporting technology, innovation, and economic security, aligning with broader blockchain and Web3 development.

While she has not made crypto a central campaign issue, her aggressive fiscal stance, modeled after her mentor Shinzo Abe’s “Abenomics,” could create an economic environment that favors risk assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Japan-related digital projects.

“Takaichi has pledged aggressive fiscal policy funded largely through bond issuance…will her electoral momentum fuel even larger stimulus, or give her the political cover to proceed more cautiously, as investors remain uneasy over Japan’s massive debt load and recent spikes across the JGB yield curve,” posed Rob Wallace.

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Indeed, uncertainties remain. Japan’s national debt exceeds 250% of GDP after topping out at 232.35% in 2025. Meanwhile, recent spikes in government bond yields have raised investor concerns about fiscal sustainability.

Key cabinet appointments and regulatory priorities will be critical in shaping the pace and scope of crypto reform. Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato’s continued role could maintain policy continuity, though his limited engagement on crypto issues may temper ambitious changes.

Digital Minister Masaki Taira has yet to articulate specific positions on crypto or Web3.

Nevertheless, the Financial Services Agency’s ongoing proposals, combined with Takaichi’s strong political mandate, suggest a turning point for Japan’s digital asset sector.

If successful, reforms could provide clearer regulatory frameworks, tax relief, and legal recognition for crypto, laying the groundwork for a more innovation-friendly ecosystem.

The Seoul court handed crypto asset manager prison sentence in the first case under the new Virtual Asset User Protection Act.

A South Korean court has sentenced Jong-hwan Lee, CEO of a local crypto asset management firm, to three years in prison for manipulating cryptocurrency prices to secure illicit profits.

The Seoul Southern District Court ruled on Wednesday that Lee violated the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, earning approximately 7.1 billion Korean won (which is worth around $4.88 million) through price manipulation.

Court Findings

In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine of 500 million won, nearly $344,000, and ordered the forfeiture of around 846 million won, or $581,900 in criminal proceeds. However, Lee was not taken into custody during the court proceedings, as the judges cited his good behavior throughout the trial.

The court found that between July 22 and October 25, 2024, Lee employed an automated trading program to inflate trading volumes and repeatedly place wash trades in the ACE cryptocurrency. Investigators reported that the daily trading volume of ACE jumped from roughly 160,000 units to 2.45 million units overnight, and Lee was responsible for 89% of the activity.

Min-cheol Kang, a former employee of the firm also indicted in the case, received a two-year prison sentence with three years of probation. While the court confirmed the defendants’ involvement in manipulating ACE for unfair profits, it partially acquitted them regarding the exact 7.1 billion won figure due to insufficient evidence.

Interestingly, this case is the first enforcement under South Korea’s Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which came into effect in July 2024.

South Korea Crypto Mishap

As courts move to punish crypto market abuse, other branches of the legal system are grappling with the risks tied to handling digital assets. In January, South Korean prosecutors were investigating the disappearance of a large amount of Bitcoin that had been seized and stored as part of a criminal case.

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The issue was discovered during a routine internal inspection at the Gwangju District Prosecutors’ Office, where officials check access details for confiscated assets, including credentials stored on removable devices like USB drives. While authorities have not confirmed the exact amount lost, local media estimates the missing Bitcoin could be worth around 70 billion won, or roughly $47.7 million.

According to officials cited in local reports, the loss may have occurred after an agency worker accessed a fraudulent website, which raised suspicion of a phishing attack rather than a direct breach of government systems. It is believed that wallet passwords or access credentials may have been exposed, allowing attackers to drain the seized funds.