The recent criminal charges levied against KuCoin by US authorities have led to a surge in withdrawal requests on the platform. Various on-chain analytics firms have reported a significant increase in withdrawals across different categories of traders, including whales, funds, smart money, and market makers. The allegations against the exchange and its founders include operating without proper legal permissions and violating bank secrecy and anti-money laundering laws.
During the reporting period, KuCoin experienced substantial withdrawals of Ethereum-based tokens. According to data from SpotOnChain, withdrawals totaled approximately $500 million, including $274 million USDT, 15,500 ETH (approximately $55 million), 50 million ONDO tokens (roughly $46 million), and 12 million FET ($34 million). The 0xscope dashboard also indicated total net outflows from KuCoin at $520 million. Furthermore, LookonChain identified two whale accounts that collectively moved $86 million USDT to platforms like OKX and Bybit.
Despite the surge in withdrawals and reports of delays, CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju reassured users that KuCoin has adequate reserves to process withdrawals. He highlighted that the platform does not commingle customers’ funds and emphasized that there are sufficient reserves available. The DefiLlama CEX transparency dashboard shows that KuCoin’s wallets still hold assets worth $3.68 billion. KuCoin CEO Johnny Lyu acknowledged the legal battles as typical growth and regulatory issues faced by emerging industries. He emphasized the importance of compliance and standardization as the industry matures and highlighted the platform’s proactive approach to regulatory requirements.
Lyu reiterated that despite the legal challenges, KuCoin continues to operate optimally. The exchange recently achieved a milestone by becoming the first global exchange to register in India, showcasing its commitment to compliance with local regulations. He mentioned that the exchange’s legal team is actively investigating the allegations to ensure transparency and accountability.
KuCoin’s withdrawal surge amidst legal troubles has raised concerns among users, but reassurances from industry experts and the exchange’s CEO provide some relief. As the platform navigates through regulatory challenges, maintaining transparency and compliance will be crucial for its long-term success.
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