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Media Coverage HOTDecent Law Firm: “2025 Virtual Asset Investigations Intensify Across the Board… Pre-Compliance Checks on Business Structures Are Essential”
Analysis suggests that as of 2025, investigations into virtual asset crimes in South Korea have shifted to an "all-encompassing" enforcement regime. Authorities are moving beyond simple fraud cases to scrutinize the entire flow of funds, targeting investment signal groups (so-called “reading rooms”), referral structures, arbitrage trading utilizing the "Kimchi Premium," money laundering via stablecoins, and illegal foreign exchange transactions through unregistered overseas exchanges. According to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) related to virtual assets have been steadily increasing since 2021. Data released by the Korea Customs Service and the Customs Border Control Training Center reveals that approximately 11.4 trillion KRW in illegal foreign exchange transactions was detected between 2021 and September 2024. Notably, about 83% of these transactions were analyzed to be illegal foreign exchange trades using virtual assets. Decent Law Firm explained, "Investigative agencies are moving away from traditional fraud investigation methods and are now approaching cases by scrutinizing the entire investment structure and fund movement." The firm added, "Activities such as operating signal groups, referral schemes, exploiting the Kimchi Premium, and stablecoin-based illegal forex trading can all be linked to charges of fraud, violation of the Act on Regulation of Conducting Fund-Raising Business Without Permission (similar to Ponzi schemes), the Capital Markets Act, the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, and the Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information (AML regulations), depending on the actual flow of funds." Focus on “Signal Groups” and Referral Systems One of the primary areas currently under scrutiny is "investment signal groups" based on Telegram or Open Chat rooms, as well as referral-based recruitment structures. A typical pattern involves recruiting investors with promises of high returns, inducing them to transfer funds to unregistered overseas exchanges or personal wallets, and operating based on referral fees. Authorities view that if this structure is combined with false or exaggerated advertising, it constitutes fraud. Furthermore, collecting investment funds from unspecified individuals may violate the Act on Regulation of Conducting Fund-Raising Business Without Permission, and if the operation involves investment advice or discretionary management, it could be deemed an unregistered investment advisory service. Crackdown on Kimchi Premium Arbitrage Arbitrage trading exploiting the "Kimchi Premium" remains a target for enforcement. While the premium gap has narrowed in 2025, illegal arbitrage and foreign exchange attempts using it persist. In particular, collecting funds from third parties for repeated remittances or distributing profits using borrowed-name or corporate accounts can lead to charges under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, tax evasion, and money laundering. Evolving Methods: Stablecoins and Illegal Forex Trading Methods for illegal foreign exchange transactions using overseas unregistered exchanges and stablecoins are becoming more sophisticated. Recently, investigators have uncovered cases of "coin-based illegal forex trading," where cash is received in Korea and an equivalent amount of Tether (USDT) is transferred to a third party abroad. This method is harder to detect than traditional dollar-based illegal forex trading and raises concerns about its use in large-scale money laundering. Strengthened AML Regulations Simultaneously, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations for domestic Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) have been significantly tightened. The government is intensively monitoring exchanges, wallet services, and custody providers for compliance with STR obligations, the Travel Rule, and high-risk wallet blocking systems. There are increasing instances where failures in internal controls lead not just to administrative sanctions but to criminal liability. Expert Advice: “Pre-Compliance is the Best Defense” Jin Hyeonsu, Managing Partner of Decent Law Firm, emphasized, "The era of operating a business hoping 'there won't be any problems' is over as of 2025." He advised, "From the initial business stage, companies must comprehensively review their fee structures, referral methods, investment solicitation procedures, contracts, terms of service, and fund flows." He further noted, "Defending legally after an investigation has already begun has its limits. Pre-compliance checks and structural design are the most realistic strategies for risk management." Decent Law Firm operates a dedicated Virtual Asset Team and has accumulated extensive practical experience through successful early-stage defense cases—including non-indictment decisions and dismissal of arrest warrants—as well as regular legal advisory services for blockchain enterprises. Experts advise that with 2025 marking a turning point where both criminal investigations and administrative regulations on virtual assets are being simultaneously strengthened, industry players must adopt a management strategy focused on "pre-check" rather than "post-response."
2025-12-05 Tokenpost -
Media Coverage
Decent Law Firm Conducts 6th Compliance and Ethics Training on Virtual Assets for Crypto Media Group
Decent Law Firm announced that on October 21, 2025, it delivered the 6th Virtual Asset Compliance and Ethics Training program for the executives and employees of Crypto Media Group Co., Ltd. This training was designed as a practical program aimed at preventing legal risks in the virtual asset industry while strengthening corporate ethical decision-making frameworks and internal control systems. The session was held offline at Decent Law Firm’s headquarters, with key operational staff from Crypto Media Group in attendance. Discussions focused on legal standards and response strategies that can be applied immediately in day-to-day operations. The training covered major legal and ethical issues frequently encountered in the virtual asset sector, including legal risks relating to cryptocurrency transactions, duties of good faith and contractual performance, protection of internal information and conflict-of-interest management, and legal standards for determining fraudulent practices. It also incorporated key provisions of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, the Capital Markets Act, and the Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information (the “AML Act”), along with an overview of the principal issues under the proposed Digital Asset Framework Act currently pending before the National Assembly. Based on these laws, the session provided concrete operational guidelines and internal control measures for running a compliant and transparent virtual-asset business. Mr. Seonghwan Kim, CEO of Crypto Media Group, stated, “As the virtual asset industry continues to integrate into the regulatory mainstream, enhancing compliance awareness among our employees and partners is essential to maintaining corporate trust. We plan to strengthen our risk-management systems and conduct regular training in cooperation with Decent Law Firm.” Mr. Hyunsoo Jin, Managing Partner of Decent Law Firm, added, “The virtual asset industry remains in a transitional period where legal standards are still developing. During such times, it becomes even more important for businesses to establish their own compliance principles and operate responsibly within clear boundaries.” Decent Law Firm provides specialized advisory and dispute-resolution services to domestic and global exchanges, Web3 projects, and investment firms across virtual assets, blockchain, and cross-border transactions. Building on this training program, the firm plans to further expand its regular compliance-education offerings to promote a culture of voluntary compliance and responsible governance in the virtual asset industry.
2025-10-27 Financial News(파이낸셜뉴스) -
Media Coverage
Decent Law Firm Unveils New Slogan and Logo, Embarking on a Customer-Centric Brand Transformation
Decent Law Firm announced on July 3 that it has launched a new slogan and logo as part of a comprehensive rebranding initiative. This transformation reflects the firm's commitment to strengthening its legal service framework for the digital era, building on three years of accumulated expertise and robust growth. New Slogan: “Where Your Answers Await, Decent” The newly unveiled slogan, “Where Your Answers Await, Decent,” encapsulates the firm’s philosophy of being the first legal partner that comes to mind when clients need support the most. In addition, Decent introduced a new brand message: “Different, Add, Knock.” This message highlights the firm’s approach of asking unique questions, delivering value beyond legal solutions, and persistently seeking answers—even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Enhanced Logo for Greater Trust and Professionalism The newly designed logo harmoniously integrates the English “DECENT” and the Korean name, emphasizing both professionalism and trust. The design has evolved from its previous sleek style to a more stable and traditional look, ensuring high readability and visibility across digital platforms. Leadership Comments on the Rebranding Managing Partner Hyunsoo Jin stated, “Since our founding, Decent has experienced explosive growth year after year. This rebranding marks a pivotal moment to refine our internal systems and elevate our external communications. We will continue to evolve as a flexible and trusted brand across diverse legal fields.” Managing Partner Pureun Hong added, “A brand ultimately embodies philosophy and attitude. Decent will further clarify its direction as a law firm that listens attentively to clients’ questions and strives to find answers together.” Expanding Global and Digital Legal Services Decent Law Firm has recently expanded its advisory scope to cover international matters in the United States, Japan, China, Singapore, the Philippines, and more—strengthening its global legal services for corporate overseas expansion, international contracts, and dispute resolution. Notably, the firm is building a distinct competitive edge by offering comprehensive and strategic legal counsel tailored to the rapidly evolving legal landscape of digital industries, including AI, ICT, blockchain and digital assets, content/media, and fintech.
2025-07-03 News1(뉴스원) -
Media Coverage
Voice Phishing Scams Using Wallet Addresses: Rising Threats in the Crypto Space
Criminals are increasingly exploiting cryptocurrencies in voice phishing scams, coercing victims into directly transferring Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and other digital assets. Unlike traditional bank transfer schemes, these scams lead victims to withdraw from crypto exchanges or transfer between wallets—making funds significantly harder to trace. In many cases, perpetrators contact victims under the guise of “debt recovery,” “investment refunds,” or “international remittance processing,” and then request crypto transfers. Once received, the assets are quickly dispersed through multiple transactions, complicating any attempts at tracking. In some instances, assets sent from domestic exchanges have been moved to overseas wallets within hours or disappeared through mixing services. (omitted) Hyunsoo Jin, Managing Attorney at Decent Law Firm, stated, “Crypto-based voice phishing scams are far more difficult to recover from compared to traditional account-based fraud. Rapid initial response and preservation of digital evidence are crucial. It’s important to secure transaction history, wallet addresses, exchange account data, and phone recordings to support both criminal complaints and civil recovery.” He added, “If the scammers’ wallets or exchanges can be identified, victims may request emergency freezes or pursue international cooperation through investigative agencies. Immediate legal consultation is essential for assessing the situation and pursuing both criminal and civil remedies in parallel.”
2025-04-14 경향게임스 -
Media Coverage
OTC Crypto and Stablecoin Trading Surge Following Trump’s Inauguration
OTC (over-the-counter) trading volume for cryptocurrencies and stablecoins saw a fivefold increase in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year, following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. This dramatic growth is attributed to rising institutional interest as regulatory discussions surrounding stablecoins gain momentum in the United States. According to the Q1 2025 report by digital asset trading technology firm Finery Markets, OTC trading volume among 2 million institutional spot transactions analyzed between January and March surged by 141% year-over-year. Stablecoin-related trading activity grew by 158% during the same period. (omitted) Commenting on this trend, Hyunsoo Jin, Managing Attorney at Decent Law Firm, noted, “The sharp rise in stablecoin activity in OTC markets indicates that regulatory discourse is translating into actual institutional engagement. Stablecoins are emerging as a crucial bridge between traditional finance and digital assets, and their regulatory trajectory may significantly influence global capital flows.” He further emphasized, “For businesses, managing risks associated with potentially regulated asset classes is critical. Legal and operational preparedness is essential to ensure transparency in transaction structures and fund flows.”
2025-04-14 Tokenpost -
Media CoverageDecent Law Firm Expands International Legal Services through MOU with Philippine Law Firm
Decent Law Firm (represented by Managing Attorneys Hyeonsu “Elliot” Jin and Pureun “Ian” Hong) announced that it has signed an MOU with the Philippine law firm Respicio, expanding its international legal services to target the legal markets in both Korea and the Philippines. The Philippines is considered an attractive country for domestic investors and companies due to its unique geographical location and diverse resources. With its high growth rate and stable economic conditions, more domestic companies are considering expanding their businesses or exports to the Philippines, as it offers favorable conditions for enterprises. In response, Decent Law Firm is partnering with Respicio to provide international legal services to companies and individuals either seeking to enter the Philippine market or those involved in legal disputes with locals or members of the Korean community in the Philippines. The target clients for these international legal services include those residing in the Philippines and involved in administrative, criminal, or civil litigation, requiring legal assistance, or those planning to enter the Philippine market and needing legal consultation. The firm will also provide tailored legal advice and support for Filipino companies wishing to enter the Korean market. Through its collaboration with a local law firm staffed by Filipino lawyers, Decent Law Firm expects to offer more efficient and timely services to local entrepreneurs and the Korean community. Hyeonsu “Elliot” Jin, Managing Attorney of Decent Law Firm, stated, “Our international legal team at Decent is composed of lawyers with extensive overseas experience and excellent English proficiency. We aim to be a reliable support for both individuals and businesses in Korea and the Philippines.
2024-10-16 The JoongAng
