ICO Site Suspends Services Amid Reports of Regulator Scrutiny

A website for funding initial coin offerings (ICOs) in China has suspended its services amid reports that regulators may impose new curbs.

AccessTimeIconAug 31, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 6:49 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

A platform for investing in initial coin offerings (ICO)s in China has suspended its services as government officials reportedly begin scrutinizing the funding model more closely.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • , in a notice posted to its website, cited "a shifting regulatory environment" in its decision to freeze its platform. Users can contribute funds to the token sales that are listed. Two completed sales on the site show that ICOINFO accepts bitcoin, ethereum and eos.

    The notice reads:

    "Because of a shifting regulatory environment, and in order to minimize risk for supporters and project-owners, ICOINFO is voluntarily temporarily suspending all ICO-related functionality on the site. Once we have clarity from the relevant departments, we will begin conducting business in accordance with their specifications and policies."

    The message further states that withdrawal and deposit functions are inactive, but will be brought back online on September 5.

    "Users who have participated in successful ICOs will be able to receive their tokens as planned, according to the schedule of the project owners, and can transfer tokens whenever the project owners allow," the site wrote. "Withdrawal functionality will be launched at 10 a.m. on September [5], as planned, and at that time users can withdraw funds from ICOINFO."

    It's the first indication that signs of possible curbs on the growth of ICOs in China is having an impact on the local ecosystem.

    CoinDesk reported last week that officials could pursue more oversight over domestic ICOs following the release of new fundraising rules. Chinese media later reported that, in mid-August, a group of regulators, including representatives from the People's Bank of China, met to discuss possible steps to curb ICOs which include limits on the amount of money that can be raised through a single token sale.

    Image via Shutterstock

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.



    Read more about