Financial watchdogs are looking into South Korean banks for their part in facilitating $6.5 billion in shady international transfers that have been linked to businesses that arbitrage cryptocurrencies.
$6.5 billion in overseas transactions
On Monday, August 15th, Asia Times reported, that country’s Financial Supervisory Service has authorised a probe into South Korean banks after discovering a sizable number of international remittance transactions at the end of June.
The South Korean crypto market is known for the so-called ‘Kimchi premium’. The difference in cryptocurrency prices between South Korean exchanges and overseas exchanges is known as the Kimchi premium. Investors buy digital currency from international exchanges, then resale it for a profit on Korean online marketplaces.
The research found that the majority of the $6.5 billion sent outside between January 2021 and June 2022 originally came from cryptocurrency exchange accounts before being sent abroad, suggesting that some Korean companies are profiting from the “Kimchi premium.”
Suspected Money Laundering
The majority of the money transferred abroad, according to Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank reports, was initially transferred from domestic cryptocurrency exchanges to various corporate accounts maintained by Korean corporations. These substantial transactions have raised suspicions that investors are using significant quantities of money to profit from the Kimchi premium.
The total amount sent abroad was more than twice what the FSS had anticipated discovering when it asked banks to investigate the issue. It is currently anticipated that FSS would carry out more in-person examinations of domestic banks, which could reveal additional remitted funds.
As a result of accepting the most remittances, the FSS is now anticipated to impose sanctions on Shinhan and Woori. Shinhan and Woori’s on-site investigations are still ongoing, but they will be finished on August 19.
According to the KBS news outlet on Sunday, there are also allegations that the transferred funds are being used for money laundering and that several personnel from the undisclosed organizations performing the remittances have been detained.
On the Flipside
- South Korea has a reputation as a trendsetter and leader in technological research. Also, the country has a very high rate of blockchain adoption.
- The new president of South Korea, Yoon Seok-yeol, is openly pro-crypto. By taking the term he promised to impose zero taxes on cryptocurrency gains up to $40,000.
Why You Should Care
Kimchi premium trading has raised concerns among regulators because it facilitates capital flight out of the nation. However, the kimchi premium is currently only +3.37%, although it was above +20% as recently as last April.
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