One of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, Bithumb, is expanding into Japan and Thailand. The exchange is working on obtaining regulatory approval from the financial regulators of both countries. The new locations are part of the exchange’s global expansion plan.
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Expanding into Thailand
Bithumb is currently working on obtaining regulatory approval from the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), local media reported Friday. The exchange is the second largest in South Korea at the time of this writing, with a 24-hour trading volume of about $358 million, behind only the Kakao-backed Upbit with a $582 million trading volume during the same time period.
The exchange has already established a Thai subsidiary, Bithumb (Thailand) Company Limited, with registered capital of 3 million baht (~US$90,000). Zdnet quoted the company explaining the reason for its expansion into the Thai market:
Thailand is active in e-commerce and the fintech industry, and the government is showing great interest in digital currency as it promotes smart city business.
Thailand has recently finalized its regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs). Bithumb has been building its Thai website, the publication added, noting that it plans to start service in Thailand at the end of October.
Bithumb Thailand’s website. Photo: Zdnet.
Expansion into Japan
Bithumb Japan’s website. Photo: Zdnet.
Japan legalized cryptocurrency as a means of payment in April of last year. All companies seeking to operate an exchange in the country must obtain approval from the country’s top financial regulator, the Financial Services Agency (FSA). However, with the hack of Coincheck in January, the FSA has been strengthening its oversight of crypto exchanges and imposing a stricter exchange approval process.
Nonetheless,
