$830M fraud arrests, Nobody’s 3,000% premium, Binance snitches get riches: Asia Express (2024)

Our weekly roundup of news from East Asia curates the industry’s most important developments.

Stephen Chow NFTs impress

Hong Kong director Stephen Chow, best known for the iconic filmKung Fu Hustle, has launched a novel NFT collection dubbed “Nobody.” It’s seen more than 10,609 Ether in total volume traded since its inception earlier this month.

On February 8, Ray Chan, the Hong Kongese co-founder of entertainment platform 9GAG, purchased a Nobody NFT avatar for 19.527 Ether, representing a premium of 3,155% to their current floor price of 0.6 Ether.

“One actor a year, Stephen Chow for a century; There are millions of little people, but the supreme treasure is unparalleled; Pictures are valuable, [but] memories are priceless,” Chan wrote in praise of the collection.

Amid its popularity, Chow himself changed his X and Instagram profile pictures to Nobody NFTs. “Does anyone have any great ideas forNobody’@realnobodyxyz’s community events? Leave your comments,” the director wrote in a post.

$830M fraud arrests, Nobody’s 3,000% premium, Binance snitches get riches: Asia Express (1)

$830M fraud arrests, Nobody’s 3,000% premium, Binance snitches get riches: Asia Express (2)

Nobody NFTs have a maximum supply of 10,000, a quarter of which were given away in a promo with crypto exchange OKX that attracted more than 125,000 applicants. They were created last December in collaboration with Chinese-American rapper Jin Au-Yeung, also known as MC Jin, and launched on the Moonbox platform created by the namesake Hong Kong startup.

UBS and OSL tokenize call warrant on Xiaomi stock in Hong Kong

Swiss multinational bank UBS’s Hong Kong subsidiary has tokenized a call warrant option on shares of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi using Ethereum. In the February 7 announcement, UBS disclosed that the tokenized financial derivative was sold to Hong Kong cryptocurrency exchange OSL.

Winni Chuek, head of sales at UBS Global Markets, said that the product “enhances transparency, reduces transaction fees, streamlines settlement processes, and allows for more flexible trading hours.”

Patrick Pan, the CEO of OSL, explained the firm is attempting to simulate the “whole product life cycle of an equity-linked structured product token, from token mint, through simulated secondary market transactions, and finally to token burn at maturity.”

UBS previously facilitated the issuance of 200 million Chinese yuan ($28 million) worth of digital structured notes minted on Ethereum. OSL is currently exploring options to tokenize retail fund products in the region.

$830M fraud arrests, Nobody’s 3,000% premium, Binance snitches get riches: Asia Express (3)

Read also

Features

How to stop your crypto community from imploding

Features

Crypto regulation: Does SEC Chair Gary Gensler have the final say?

Haru Invest executive busted in alleged $830M crypto lending scam

Three key executives affiliated with South Korean crypto lender Haru Invest, including CEO Hyung-soo Lee, have been arrested on charges of fraud by Korean prosecutors for allegedly failing to return over 1.1 trillion won ($830 million) worth of digital assets belonging to more than 16,000 customers.

Local news agencies reported on February 6 that the coins were invested on behalf of customers by Haru from March 2020 to June 2023 while falsely advertising that the investments were “risk-free due to diversified investment techniques,” with promised returns of up to 12% per annum.

On June 13, 2023, Haru Invest suspended withdrawals and deposits, citing “fraudulent information” provided by a consignment operator. The decision soon prompted fellow South Korean crypto lender Delio, which held $1.2 billion in Bitcoin and Ether at the time, to suspend its deposits and withdrawals as well due to counterparty exposure to Haru. Criminal and civil proceedings are ongoing against both firms in South Korea.

Han Chang-joon, CFO of Terraform Labs which was behind the failed Terra Luna protocol worth $40 billion at its peak, was extradited from Montenegro to South Korea on February 5.

On arrival South Korean prosecutors charged Han with fraud for allegedly profiting 53.6 billion won ($40 million) from fraudulent marketing of the Terra stablecoin and leaking upwards of 100 million records of customer transactions from payment processor Chai Pay to the Terra Luna project.

Han could potentially face a life sentence in South Korea if convicted. Meanwhile, co-founder and former CEO Do Kwon is currently awaiting extradition in Montenegro. Both men were arrested on March 23, 2023, in Podgorica airport for using forged Costa Rican passports to flee to Dubai. They were sentenced to four months in prison on June 19, 2023, over the fake document charges.

Država Crna Gora je danas postupila po zamolnici Južne Koreje, i po odluci Ministarstva pravde predala Haan Chang Joon-a nadležnim organima njegove matične države. pic.twitter.com/OvQ1qNyxr1

— Ministarstvo pravde Crne Gore (@PravdaCG) February 5, 2024

Zipmex in trouble once again

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against Akalarp Yimwilai, former CEO and director of troubled Thai crypto exchange Zipmex, for allegedly making false and deceptive statements during his tenure. The Thai SEC said on February 8 that Zipmex had allegedly transferred customers’ digital assets abroad and submitted falsified reports on customers’ account status to the regulator before the exchange halted withdrawals on May 8, 2022.

“The SEC therefore filed a complaint against Mr. Akalap with the Office of the Provincial Crime Suppression Division to consider taking further legal action.”

In Summer 2022, Zipmex filed for bankruptcy protection in Singapore after disclosing a $53 million exposure to failed crypto lenders Babel Finance and Celsius. On November 29, 2023, media reports revealed that Zipmex creditors would receive as little as 3 cents on the dollar for initial claims, with further payouts in a recovery scenario.

Snitches get riches: Binance

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has implemented a whistleblower program for tips relating to alleged misconduct of its employees. In a February 5 tweet, Yi He, co-founder of Binance and spouse of former CEO Changpeng Zhao, said that the exchange would award bounties of $10,000 to $5,000,000 for successful tip-offs of employee corruption within the exchange concerning listing of new tokens.

“It is much easier [money to make] and more profitable than the rat warehouse [Chinese slang for insider trading]. Report email: [email protected],” the Binance co-founder wrote.

The same day, the price of Ronin tokens, ecosystem token of the gaming blockchain created by Axie Infinity developer Sky Mavis, saw significant volatility before and after its listing on Binance. It saw a 28% gain in the week prior to listing then dumped more than 40% after. Prior to the listing, a combination of token accumulation visible on blockchain explorers and leaked external communications from Binance led to the accumulation of RON by those in the know, who then swiftly sold after the actual token was listed, driving down its price. Binance has since stated it would cancel any new token listing if insider information is leaked beforehand.

$830M fraud arrests, Nobody’s 3,000% premium, Binance snitches get riches: Asia Express (4)

Subscribe

The most engaging reads in blockchain. Delivered once a
week.

$830M fraud arrests, Nobody’s 3,000% premium, Binance snitches get riches: Asia Express (5)

$830M fraud arrests, Nobody’s 3,000% premium, Binance snitches get riches: Asia Express (6)

Zhiyuan Sun

Zhiyuan Sun is a journalist at Cointelegraph focusing on technology-related news. He has several years of experience writing for major financial media outlets such as The Motley Fool, Nasdaq.com and Seeking Alpha.

$830M fraud arrests, Nobody’s 3,000% premium, Binance snitches get riches: Asia Express (2024)

FAQs

$830M fraud arrests, Nobody’s 3,000% premium, Binance snitches get riches: Asia Express? ›

Three key executives affiliated with South Korean crypto lender Haru Invest, including CEO Hyung-soo Lee, have been arrested on charges of fraud by Korean prosecutors for allegedly failing to return over 1.1 trillion won ($830 million) worth of digital assets belonging to more than 16,000 customers.

Is it possible to get scammed on Binance? ›

Yes, it is possible to get scammed on Binance, as with any other cryptocurrency exchange. Scammers can use a variety of tactics to steal funds from unsuspecting users, and it's important to be aware of these potential threats and take steps to protect yourself.

Is Binance real or fake? ›

Binance is one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange platforms. Zhao founded Binance in 2017. The focus of Binance is altcoin trading, which uses cryptocurrencies designed and released by developers with their own visions of these tokens.

Can I get my money back if I got scammed from Binance? ›

If you believe you have been scammed on Binance, you should contact their customer support team immediately and provide them with as much information as possible about the scam. They may be able to investigate the situation and potentially refund your funds if they determine that you were indeed scammed.

Can you get real money from Binance? ›

However, on Binance P2P you can convert your bitcoin into cash instantly, depending on how fast the party makes payment and the payment method you are using. If speed is a concern, you can go to the advertiser profile and check the average pay time to trade with the fastest one.

Is Binance really in trouble? ›

Treasury secretary Janet Yellen said US financial regulators had been investigating Binance for more than three years and found that it had engaged in “consistent and egregious violations” of US law that “allowed illicit actors to transact freely” on the platform and “supporting activities from child sexual abuse, to ...

Is Binance 100% safe? ›

No cryptocurrency exchange can guarantee 100% safety, but Binance has implemented several measures to protect users' assets, such as a $1 billion insurance fund, comprehensive account security and asset audits. However, users should always do due diligence when deciding to open an account on any crypto platform.

Is Binance still trustworthy? ›

Binance has good liquidity for trading, industry-leading low fees, many crypto-centric products, and a wide variety of crypto assets, products, and trading features. Is Binance Exchange Safe? Binance is often considered one of the safest exchanges in the world if you consider the level of security.

Can Binance be trusted? ›

Binance is generally considered a reputable and reliable cryptocurrency exchange. However, potential users should carefully consider their individual needs and risk toleance before deciding to use the platform.

Is it safe to receive money through Binance? ›

Trusted by millions of users worldwide, Binance P2P offers the best liquidity, top-of-the-line security, and access to over 700 payment methods and 100 fiat currencies.

What are the risks of using Binance? ›

Its status has for years left investors wary of risks to the wider market from a string of regulatory and legal headaches facing Binance. Bitcoin fell as much as 6%, for example, after Binance and Zhao were sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in June for allegedly evading U.S. federal securities laws.

Can someone hack my Binance account? ›

Several Binance users have reported losing millions of dollars due to account hacks in a distressing development for the cryptocurrency community.

Top Articles
The majestic Claymore Sword
How I get Spotify Premium for free
English Bulldog Puppies For Sale Under 1000 In Florida
Katie Pavlich Bikini Photos
Gamevault Agent
Pieology Nutrition Calculator Mobile
Hocus Pocus Showtimes Near Harkins Theatres Yuma Palms 14
Hendersonville (Tennessee) – Travel guide at Wikivoyage
Compare the Samsung Galaxy S24 - 256GB - Cobalt Violet vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro - 128GB - Desert Titanium | AT&T
Vardis Olive Garden (Georgioupolis, Kreta) ✈️ inkl. Flug buchen
Craigslist Dog Kennels For Sale
Things To Do In Atlanta Tomorrow Night
Non Sequitur
Crossword Nexus Solver
How To Cut Eelgrass Grounded
Pac Man Deviantart
Alexander Funeral Home Gallatin Obituaries
Energy Healing Conference Utah
Geometry Review Quiz 5 Answer Key
Hobby Stores Near Me Now
Icivics The Electoral Process Answer Key
Allybearloves
Bible Gateway passage: Revelation 3 - New Living Translation
Yisd Home Access Center
Home
Shadbase Get Out Of Jail
Gina Wilson Angle Addition Postulate
Celina Powell Lil Meech Video: A Controversial Encounter Shakes Social Media - Video Reddit Trend
Walmart Pharmacy Near Me Open
Marquette Gas Prices
A Christmas Horse - Alison Senxation
Ou Football Brainiacs
Access a Shared Resource | Computing for Arts + Sciences
Vera Bradley Factory Outlet Sunbury Products
Pixel Combat Unblocked
Movies - EPIC Theatres
Cvs Sport Physicals
Mercedes W204 Belt Diagram
Mia Malkova Bio, Net Worth, Age & More - Magzica
'Conan Exiles' 3.0 Guide: How To Unlock Spells And Sorcery
Teenbeautyfitness
Where Can I Cash A Huntington National Bank Check
Topos De Bolos Engraçados
Sand Castle Parents Guide
Gregory (Five Nights at Freddy's)
Grand Valley State University Library Hours
Holzer Athena Portal
Hello – Cornerstone Chapel
Stoughton Commuter Rail Schedule
Nfsd Web Portal
Selly Medaline
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 6127

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.