South Korea Spurs Google to Block 17 Unregistered Crypto Exchange Apps Including KCS and MX

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has prompted Google Play to block 17 foreign cryptocurrency exchange apps, including those from prominent exchanges KuCoin and MEXC, from being installed or updated in the country. The move came into effect on March 25 after the FSC noted that these apps are operated without proper registration, targeting Korean users without meeting local requirements such as providing Korean-language websites, localized marketing activities, and support for transactions in Korean won. The FSC stated that preventing unreported business activities is expected to contribute significantly to the fight against money laundering and to protect domestic users from potential harm. The blocked list includes exchanges like KuCoin, MEXC, Phemex, XT, Biture, CoinW, CoinEX, ZoomEX, Poloniex, BTCC, DigiFinex, Pionex, Blofin, Apex Pro, CoinCatch, WEEX, and BitMart. This regulatory enforcement highlights ongoing governmental efforts to ensure stricter compliance by foreign digital asset service providers operating in South Korea. (This is not investment advice.)