FIU Warns Crypto Referrals for Unregistered Offshore Exchanges Could Face Criminal Charges South Korea's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has issued a stern warning that crypto influencers participating in referral programs for unregistered foreign exchanges could face criminal prosecution for aiding and abetting illegal operations. The FIU clarified that receiving commissions to promote offshore platforms via @YouTube, @telegram, or other SNS goes beyond simple advertising and actively facilitates unlicensed business targeting South Korean citizens. Furthermore, the regulatory body emphasized that any foreign operator targeting the domestic market must register under the reporting requirements, noting that only 28 crypto entities are currently legally authorized to operate in the country. Vowing to crack down on regulatory loopholes—including offshore platforms disguising their domestic operations and illegal private exchanges swapping stablecoins for KRW—the FIU stated it will continue to block domestic IPs and report violators to law enforcement to prevent money laundering and protect investors from unregulated risks.