PANews reported on February 6 that, according to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into virtual asset exchange Bithumb for alleged exaggerated advertising. The FTC has dispatched investigators to Bithumb's headquarters in Gangnam District to obtain relevant data.

The FTC is reportedly investigating whether Bithumb's claim in a press release last year that it boasted "the highest liquidity among domestic virtual asset exchanges" was true. Upbit currently holds the top market share in this category. The FTC is also investigating allegations that Bithumb altered payment terms during a promotional campaign late last year, which offered subsidies to new users connecting to its API (Application Programming Interface).