Crypto Exchange Zipmex Faces Probe From Thai Securities Regulator: Bloomberg

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is investigating troubled crypto exchange Zipmex, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing a letter sent by the regulator to the company's chief.

The SEC wrote to Chief Executive Officer Akalarp Yimwilai on Dec. 28, 2022, about the company possibly violating local business rules for crypto service providers, noting Zipmex may have been operating as a crypto fund manager "without permission," the report said.

The South East Asian crypto exchange, which halted withdrawals after facing liquidity troubles last summer, was planning a recovery process in December, which involves restarting customer withdrawals. There have also been reports of a takeover deal that would see a 90% stake in the company bought out for $100 million by venture capital fund V Ventures.

In September, the Thai SEC filed a police report against Zipmex after the company allegedly failed to share transaction information with the regulator by a set deadline.

Zipmex has until Jan. 12 to provide a clarification, Bloomberg reported.

After the publication of this article, a spokesperson for Zipmex said the company is "unable to provide a response to the press" regarding the investigation as it is "required to respond directly to the SEC."

Read more: Crypto Exchange Zipmex Secures Creditor Protection Extension as Takeover Deal Nears

Update (Jan. 12, 2023 09:09 UTC): Adds comment from Zipmex in the last paragraph.