Woofun AI reports that South Korea's Consumer Dispute Resolution Commission has ordered Bithumb to compensate approximately 30,000 users with 100,000 won each, totaling 3 billion won or roughly $2.2 million. The mandate stems from a promotional event launched on November 10, 2023, which originally offered first-time API traders a full fee rebate plus a 100,000 won support payment.

The dispute arose when Bithumb inserted a clause excluding one-time trades executed solely to claim the reward after the campaign had already begun. Consequently, the exchange denied payments to participants who had performed single trades, triggering the regulatory review. The commission determined that adding this exclusion constituted the introduction of a new condition rather than a mere clarification of existing terms.

Under South Korean consumer protection law, companies are prohibited from retroactively altering promotional conditions once users have taken qualifying actions based on the original offer.

Woofun AI data shows this legal interpretation prevents exchanges from modifying terms after users have committed to an action, regardless of the exchange's internal rationale. This decision creates a binding precedent for how cryptocurrency exchanges operating in South Korea must structure and maintain promotional events.

For the 30,000 affected users, the compensation extends beyond financial restitution to signal that regulatory bodies will enforce consumer protection standards within the digital asset sector. Promotional campaigns have become a primary tool for attracting new traders, yet this ruling confirms that such marketing cannot override established legal protections. Bithumb, one of South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, now faces significant financial liability amidst heightened industry-wide regulatory scrutiny.

The ruling is likely to compel other exchanges to audit their promotional practices to avoid similar disputes and underscores the necessity for clear, unambiguous terms in crypto marketing. As the industry matures, regulatory expectations regarding transparency and fairness are poised to increase, making this case a reference point for future conflicts. Bithumb has not yet publicly stated whether it will appeal the decision, leaving the final enforcement timeline uncertain.