Authorities allege the ex-AAX executive unlawfully withdrew HK$633 million in digital assets after the exchange halted operations, with 191 victims reporting collective losses of HK$81 million.
Hong Kong police have charged a former executive of the defunct cryptocurrency exchange AAX with three counts of theft and one of fraud tied to HK$633 million in withdrawn digital assets. The charges follow the platform’s November 2022 suspension of services, which left around 2 million users without access to funds. Investigators revealed that 191 victims have reported combined losses of HK$81 million since the shutdown. The case highlights persistent risks in centralized crypto exchanges and the pressing need for stronger investor protection.