Kucoin was initially based in China, then moved to Singapore following the Chinese government's restrictions on cryptocurrency companies, and subsequently to the Seychelles.[1]
Kucoin provides services related to blockchain and cryptocurrency, such as NFT trading. Kucoin own its own crypto token known as Kucoin Shares (KCS).[2][3]
History
Kucoin was founded in 2017 by Chun Gan, Ke Tang, Michael Gan and Johnny Lyn, who is the current CEO.[1] Michael Gan was the first CEO of Kucoin.[citation needed] In November 2018, Kucoin raised $20 million in a series A funding round led by IDG Capital, Matrix Partners and Neo Global Capital.[citation needed]
KuGroup was formed in 2020 to manage the three business divisions in the company, including KuCoin Global, KuCloud and KuChain, and KCS Business Group. Michael Gan was appointed chairman of KuGroup, while Johnny Lyu was appointed CEO of KuCoin Global.[citation needed]
Kucoin raised $150 million in a series B funding round led by Jump Crypto in May 2022, giving it a valuation of $10 billion.[4][5] In July 2022, Kucoin announced a $10 million investment from trading firm Susquehanna International Group (SIG). The two parties agreed to collaborate in blockchain startup incubation and Kucoin ecosystem building.[2]
2020 hack
In September 2020, Kucoin announced it had suffered a major security breach that saw $281 million of crypto assets stolen.[6][7] Kucoin CEO, Johnny Lyu disclosed in a statement that the hack occurred after private keys linked to crypto wallets got exposed. He added that the findings of the internal security audit report, revealed that part of Bitcoin, ERC-20, and other tokens in Kucoin's hot wallets were transferred out of the crypto exchange.[8] Kucoin offered rewards of up to $100,000 to anyone who could provide valid information regarding the hack.[9] North Korean hacker crew Lazarus Group was accused of carrying out the hack, which was dubbed the biggest cryptocurrency hack of 2020.[10]
In February 2021, CEO, Johnny Lyu said in a blog post that it had "cooperated with exchange and project partners to recover $222 million (78%), cooperated with law enforcement and security institutions to recover $17.45 million (6%) and insurance fund covered the remaining part, about $45.55 million (16%).[7][9][11]
Legal status
United States
In March 2023, New York's attorney generalLetitia James sued Kucoin for failing to register with the state before letting investors buy and sell cryptocurrencies on its platform.[12] The attorney general stated that Kucoin violated the Martin Act, by transacting in cryptocurrencies, selling the product "KuCoin Earn" to generate income for itself and investors, and wrongfully calling itself an "exchange."[13][14] In December 2023, after a long legal battle, Kucoin agreed to block New York users from its platform and pay $22 million to settle the lawsuit.[15][16]
In March 2024, the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed criminal charges against Kucoin and two of its founders, accusing the cryptocurrency exchange of violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws by failing to vet customers, allowing billions of dollars in illicit funds to be transferred since its founding in 2017[17][18] Prosecutors said Kucoin sought business from U.S. customers without registering with the Treasury Department and putting in place procedures to verify clients' identities as required by U.S. law.[18][19] Kucoin co-founders, Chun Gan and Ke Tang, were also charged with related conspiracy charges.[1]
Canada
In June 2021, The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) issued a statement alleging that Kucoin trading platforms failed to comply with the province's securities law. OSC stated that Kucoin was operating an unregistered crypto asset trading platform and encouraging Canadian customers to trade crypto asset products that are securities and derivatives on the platform.[20] on July 22, 2022, OSC obtained orders permanently banning Kucoin from participating in Ontario's capital markets and requiring it to pay a $2-million administrative penalty, plus $96,550.35 towards the costs of the OSC's investigation.[21]
Netherlands
The Dutch central bank in December 2022 issued a statement saying cryptocurrency exchange Kucoin was operating in the Netherlands without registration.[22] The central bank underlined that the exchange is "not in compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act and is illegally offering services for the exchange between virtual and fiduciary currencies."[22][23] Kucoin responded through its spokesperson in an email, stating that "KuCoin is not a Dutch entity and does not have an office in the Netherlands."[23]
United Kingdom
In October 2023, The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) added to its warning list over 140 digital asset companies. The statement stated that Kucoin and the other digital asset companies lacked the regulatory approval to provide services in the UK market.[24]
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