South Korean police have launched an investigation into Bithumb's CEO for alleged bribery

According to The Block, the Public Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in South Korea has identified Bithumb CEO Lee Jae-won as a suspect in a bribery case, which is related to independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee.

Police received testimony from a former assistant stating that Kim requested Lee to arrange for his second son to work at Bithumb in November 2024, and his son started working there two months later, remaining for about six months; Kim had also previously asked Bithumb to hire one of his assistants, who has been employed by the company since September 2025. The police are investigating whether the aforementioned employment is linked to Kim's legislative actions against Upbit's operator Dunamu during his time on the National Assembly's Financial Committee, including allegations of Upbit monopolizing the market.