A former employee of the South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Coinone with the surname Jeon pleaded guilty to bribery charges. Yonhap reports, citing lawyers.
According to case materials, in 2020 broker Hwan Mo paid 2 billion won (~$1.51 million) to the defendant in exchange for listing certain digital assets on the platform. In April 2023 authorities arrested several other exchange employees on similar charges.
Among the coins was Furiever Coin, which traded exclusively on Coinone. Law enforcement linked the token to the murder of a woman in Seoul. According to investigators, the crime could have been driven by failed investments.
Also Jeon’s co-defendant, identified in the case as “Mr. Ko”, pleaded guilty.
“In principle, we admit the accusation, but, since we did not have the opportunity to review all the evidence, after examination we will present a final conclusion,” the defendants’ lawyer added.
The next court hearing is scheduled for June 15.
In February, South Korean authorities arrested the owner of Bithumb Kana Jona Hen, accused of embezzlement and manipulating the stock prices of several affiliated firms.