Domestic access blocking or service termination has been decided for 27 websites operated by unregistered virtual asset businesses. Blocking measures against illegal virtual asset operations, which previously targeted apps such as those on Apple and Google platforms, are now expanding to websites.

■ Blocking of 27 Sites Decided After Two Deliberations on October 6-7

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Financial Services Commission announced that the Korea Communications Standards Commission decided, after two rounds of deliberations on October 6-7, to block 27 operating websites among unregistered virtual asset trading sites for which access blocking was requested.

The method of action varies depending on the location of the server and operator. If located in Korea, service termination applies; if located overseas, domestic access blocking is applied.

■ Blocking Before Damage Occurs... Response Even Without Victim Reports

This decision aims to reduce exposure to illegal business sites before users suffer damage. The FIU and the Korea Communications Standards Commission agreed that since unregistered virtual asset operations are themselves illegal under the Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information, there is a need to respond without waiting for damage to be confirmed.

Going forward, even without separate victim reports, the plan is to block website access through deliberation whenever illegal business activities are detected.

■ Precautions for Users... First Check Whether Trading Companies Are Registered

The FIU urged users to always verify whether a trading company is registered. As of the announcement, a total of 28 virtual asset businesses are legally registered, and the list can be checked on the FIU website. The FIU explained that any company other than these conducting virtual asset trading as a business in Korea is operating illegally.

Caution is also needed regarding false and exaggerated advertisements. Typical examples include ads touting high returns or principal guarantees, or emphasizing non-public information or global listings. The FIU stated that encountering such advertisements should raise suspicion of possible fraud.

Users should also be wary of sign-up inducements or trade brokering through referral links. If referral activities are evaluated as going beyond simple advertising and helping unregistered business operations, the referrer may also be subject to criminal punishment.

[This article was written with AI assistance based on the announcement by the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Financial Services Commission. The number of registered businesses is as of the announcement, and the latest list must be checked on the FIU website. Whether referral activities are punishable is determined based on the specific facts.]