Woofun AI reports that South Korean authorities are probing allegations of political interference in the cryptocurrency sector. A former aide to independent lawmaker Kim Byung-ki is accused of urging the Financial Supervisory Service in February last year to compel Upbit to end its zero-fee promotions for $USDC and $USDT, thereby reducing competitive pressure on Bithumb.

The investigation was triggered after the assistant secured an informal advisory role at Bithumb months later, coinciding with the hiring of the lawmaker's son as an intern. Bithumb denies any involvement in political maneuvering, maintaining that its fee structures resulted from autonomous business decisions.