9 months ago
Haru Invest CEO Hugo Hyungsoo Lee was attacked during his ongoing fraud proceedings astatine the Seoul Southern District Court, section media outlet Digital Asset reported connected Aug. 28.
According to the report, a antheral identified arsenic “Kang” stabbed Lee aggregate times successful the cervix with a concealed 5 cm knife.
While courtroom guards rapidly subdued Kang, Lee was reportedly seen bleeding connected the floor. He was taken to a adjacent hospital, and his existent information remains unclear.
Meanwhile, authorities person confirmed that Kang, arrested astatine the scene, is 1 of Haru Invest’s victims and is present nether investigation.
Haru Invest issues
This incidental adds to the increasing troubles surrounding Haru Invest.
Last year, the level suspended idiosyncratic withdrawals, blaming mendacious accusation from an unnamed consignment operator. Concerns escalated erstwhile the institution unopen its Seoul bureau and deleted its YouTube and LinkedIn profiles, sparking rumors of fraud and a imaginable rug pull, which the institution vehemently denied.
Despite this, Haru’s nonaccomplishment to reopen withdrawals oregon supply a wide mentation has fueled further speculation and regulatory scrutiny.
In February 2024, South Korean prosecutors arrested 3 Haru executives, including the co-CEOs, for allegedly embezzling astir $826 cardinal from 16,000 users. The executives are accused of misleadingly promoting a “risk-free diversified concern strategy” portion investing astir lawsuit deposits.
Meanwhile, Haru’s issues person besides affected different South Korean crypto lending platform, Delio, which authorities are present investigating.
South Korea’s crypto relationship
South Korea ranks among the apical countries globally successful crypto adoption, driven chiefly by retail investors. Institutional and overseas investors look restrictions, limiting their participation.
Chainalysis reported that from July 2022 to June 2023, South Korea received implicit $111.82 cardinal successful crypto value. This is the highest magnitude successful East Asia, surpassing the region’s largest economies successful Japan and China.
In response, South Korea has taken a proactive attack to crypto regulation. The state aims to acceptable precocious standards to protect manufacture users portion positioning itself arsenic a person successful managing the challenges wrong the crypto industry.
The station Haru Invest CEO reportedly attacked during fraud proceedings successful South Korea appeared archetypal connected CryptoSlate.
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