South Korea blocks downloads of 29 of the 50 largest foreign crypto exchanges on Google Play, including OKX, Bybit, MEXC, and KuCoin.
Regulation & Gov ·
South Korea has blocked downloads of at least 29 of the 50 largest foreign cryptocurrency exchanges on Google Play, affecting platforms including OKX, Bybit, MEXC, KuCoin, Gemini, Backpack, and BitMEX. The removals appear tied to regulatory requirements for virtual asset service providers, though web and Apple App Store access to these platforms remains available to users in the country.
The action represents a narrowing of distribution channels rather than a comprehensive ban. Users in South Korea can still access these exchanges through web browsers or iOS applications, limiting the direct impact on existing customers while making it harder for new users to discover and install the services through Android devices. This enforcement mechanism targets the point of discovery on one distribution platform without restricting operational access entirely.
It remains unclear whether South Korea plans to extend enforcement to other distribution channels, how the regulatory authority determined which platforms to remove, or whether compliance pathways exist for foreign exchanges to restore availability on Google Play in the region.