BlockBeats News, January 9th. According to Cointelegraph, on December 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of Korea ruled that Bitcoin held in centralized exchanges is considered an asset subject to seizure under criminal procedure law. The court upheld the decision to seize 55.6 Bitcoins held by a money laundering suspect. The judgment recognized Bitcoin’s independent management, tradability, and economic value.
This ruling implies that in Korea, users who hold Bitcoin on exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb face clearer legal risks. Cryptocurrencies linked to criminal activities can be directly frozen and seized on exchanges, putting pressure on exchanges to promptly comply with search warrants, maintain strict Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, and implement robust tracking systems.
