The removals restrict downloads and updates for Android users in South Korea as regulators tighten enforcement against unregistered virtual asset service providers.
At least 29 overseas crypto derivatives exchange apps can no longer be newly installed from Google Play in South Korea, extending the enforcement sweep beyond previously identified platforms such as OKX and Bybit. The newly cited group includes MEXC, KuCoin, BingX, Gemini, BTCC, Phemex and Bitmex. Digital Asset reported that 14 of the 29 had previously been identified by South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit as unreported virtual asset service providers and referred to law enforcement. The other 15 had not been referred, but were still blocked under Google’s regional policy from January. The action centers on app-store distribution rather than a blanket ban on crypto trading. It limits new installations and likely future updates through Google Play for Android users in South Korea, while the status of already installed apps and web-based access was not confirmed. The broader tally points to a wider compliance push against offshore platforms that have not registered locally.