South Korean Supreme Court: Bitcoin Held on Exchanges Can Be Legally Seized

Odaily News: On December 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of South Korea ruled that Bitcoin stored on centralized exchanges qualifies as property subject to seizure under the Criminal Procedure Act. The court upheld a decision to seize 55.6 Bitcoin held by a suspect in a money laundering investigation. The ruling recognized Bitcoin's characteristics of independent manageability, tradability, and economic value. This decision implies that users of platforms such as Upbit and Bithumb will face clearer legal risks, and assets involved in crimes can be directly frozen or seized on trading platforms.