South Korean regulators inspect Bithumb following employee data breach

South Korean financial regulators launched on-site inspections at cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb on October 28, 2026, following a suspected data breach. CryptoSlate reported that the exchange detected signs of abnormal external access that exposed employee information. Authorities and the platform are currently investigating whether customer data was also compromised. [1]

The Financial Services Commission stated in an official notice that the exposed information involved staff members at Bithumb and its subsidiaries. Regulators are examining the exchange's staff-support system to determine the full scope of the incident. The Financial Services Commission is also planning to implement stronger security safeguards following the investigation. [1]

Bithumb was founded in 2014 as Xcoin by operating company BTC Korea.com before rebranding in 2015. The centralized cryptocurrency exchange is headquartered in the Gangnam District of Seoul, South Korea. The platform focuses primarily on high-volume spot trading pairs denominated in South Korean won for retail and institutional traders. [2][3]

South Korean regulations require the platform to mandate real-name verification linked to bank accounts to prevent illicit activity. KB Kookmin Bank has provided real-name-verified accounts for Bithumb users' fiat deposits and withdrawals since March 2025. In May 2025, the Korea Fair Trade Commission designated the Bithumb group as a business entity subject to public disclosure requirements. [2][3]