Crypto Exchange Bithumb Pushes IPO Past 2028 As Cleanup Effort Continues
Bithumb, a major South Korean cryptocurrency exchange, has delayed its initial public offering (IPO) plans to after 2028, a significant postponement from its original 2025 target. The decision follows a year of challenges, including compliance issues, board changes, and a major internal error in February that temporarily displayed over $40 billion in fake user balances. The exchange mistakenly credited users with 2,000 Bitcoin instead of 2,000 won, raising serious concerns about its internal controls. Additionally, Bithumb faced regulatory pressure, including a six-month suspension and a $24 million fine for alleged anti-money laundering breaches. Under renewed CEO Lee Jae-won, the company is now prioritizing the strengthening of its accounting systems and internal governance with advisory firm Samjong KPMG before proceeding with an IPO. This slower timeline contrasts with competitor Upbit, which is reportedly preparing for its own public listing.
bitcoinist04/02 16:01