Japan Watchdog Charges Zaif Crypto Exchange Owner with 'Legal Violations'

Fisco, owner of the Zaif crypto exchange, is being forced to upgrade its management systems after an investigation by Japan’s financial watchdog.

AccessTimeIconJun 21, 2019 at 9:10 a.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 1:06 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Cryptocurrency exchange owner Fisco is being forced to improve its business management systems after an investigation by the country’s financial watchdog.

According to a release from the Financial Services Agency (FSA), on Feb. 13, the agency visited Fisco – a Japanese investment firm that took over ownership of the hacked Zaif exchange in April and found that the firm had made a number of "legal violations."

  • 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
  • The FSA said it found "problems" with the firm's business management – for example, the board of directors had not been discussing "important management issues such as business plans." Risk management at Fisco, relating to potential issues like money laundering and financing of terrorism, was also found to be lacking, as did other aspects of general business management, such as its outsourcing process.

    The FSA said "management did not recognize the importance of legal compliance."

    To bring the company back in line with its expectations, the agency has handed Fisco a business improvement order, mandating it to establish a system to allow proper internal management, outsourcing, accounting and auditing. The firm must also set up risk management systems for fiat and cryptocurrency.

    In its September 2018 hack, Zaif lost approximately 7 billion yen ($62.5 million) in bitcoin (BTC), monacoin (MONA) and bitcoin cash (BCH).

    A month later, Fisco announced its intention to take over the ailing firm and finally completed the acquisition in April, at which point normal services were resumed for the first time since the hack.

    The FSA was said to also be investigating Huobi Japan alongside Fisco, according to a Reuters report in April. No public statement has so far been made by the agency on any conclusions, however.

    FSA 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.