Seoul Court Sides With Wemade in $7M WEMIX Token Dispute

As a seasoned crypto investor with a keen eye for market trends and legal developments, this latest ruling by the Seoul Central District Court in favor of Wemade CEO Park Kwan-ho serves as a beacon of hope in the often tumultuous world of digital assets. The court’s decision to return over $7 million worth of WEMIX tokens highlights the importance of regulatory compliance and investor protection, principles that are crucial for fostering trust and stability in our industry.


In South Korea, the Seoul Central District Court has decided in favor of Wemade CEO Park Kwan-ho in a significant disagreement regarding WEMIX tokens. The court’s decree mandates the defunct cryptocurrency exchange GDAC to return tokens valued at more than 7 million dollars. This decision highlights important matters concerning exchange procedures, regulatory adherence, and investor security within the unpredictable digital asset sector.

WEMIX Token Dispute Court Ruling

In a notable court ruling concerning the digital currency sector, the Seoul Central District Court has mandated the previously shuttered cryptocurrency exchange GDAC to restore 7.8 million WEMIX tokens, equivalent to around $7.31 million, to Wemade’s CEO, Park Kwan-ho.

Based on the court’s verdict, issued on July 29 in favor of Park’s request for a short-term restraining order, it is mandatory that they adhere to this ruling within thirty days. Failure to do so may result in a daily penalty of 3 million won being imposed, starting from the day after the deadline.

The decision discards GDAC’s claims that Park was involved in market manipulation and money laundering. However, it casts doubt on GDAC’s capacity to keep a 100% reserve ratio, which conflicts with earlier statements made by the exchange.

Additionally, the court implied possible complications arising from a cyber-attack that occurred in April 2022, which cost them approximately 20 billion won ($14.48 million). This event could potentially hinder their capacity to completely recuperate and sustain sufficient reserves.

On July 16, GDAC shut down its activities, mere days prior to the enactment of the ‘Virtual Asset User Protection Act’. Consequently, Park found himself unable to retrieve his unused WEMIX tokens, now estimated to be worth approximately 10.1 billion won.

As a crypto investor, I’ve found myself questioning the actions of cryptocurrency exchanges, especially during times of closure or delisting. Normally, these platforms facilitate full withdrawals in such situations. However, when GDAC imposed withdrawal limits on the WEMIX tokens, it stirred doubts about whether they truly had all their customers’ tokens in their custody.

As a seasoned investor with years of experience in the financial markets, I have witnessed firsthand how quickly regulations can shape industries and protect consumers. In light of South Korea’s recent ruling on cryptocurrency exchanges, I believe this is yet another example of the importance of adhering to proper regulatory guidelines, especially in a rapidly developing field such as digital assets.

Parallel Legal Proceedings Involving Terra Co-founder

Meanwhile, the court case involving Daniel Shin, one of Terra’s founders, is similarly progressing. At a recent court hearing held in Seoul Southern District Court, Shin’s legal team asked for additional time to organize his defense against the criminal charges.

Without being present at the court proceeding himself, Shin has gathered a team of thirty legal professionals to represent him, encompassing ex-judges, prosecutors, and attorneys with expertise in cases involving digital assets and capital markets law.

The court has approved the request, scheduling August 28 as the new hearing date. This development has left prosecutors disheartened due to ongoing postponements. The judge indicated that they will examine the attorneys’ perspectives and reevaluate the trial preparation timeline to determine if there’s room for defense arguments and the sequence of interrogations.

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2024-07-31 09:24