Breaking: Chinese Supreme Court Classifies Crypto Trading As Illegal

Ambar Warrick
February 25, 2022 Updated June 13, 2022
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China’s supreme court on Thursday classified crypto transactions as illegal, and said violators could face hefty fines and up to 10 years in prison.

While top-level Chinese government bodies had already outlawed crypto in 2021, the move now makes crypto trading formally illegal, and allows the government to take legal action against traders.

The country had cracked down on crypto mining and trade in September last year, in the wake of a severe energy shortage. The move prompted several firms to either shift base to the nearby Singapore, or outright shut operations.

Until that point, China had been the world’s biggest crypto miner. A corresponding ban in Kazakhstan has now seen markets consider Russia as a major, upcoming force in crypto mining.

The court’s recent ruling now outlines prison time between three and 10 years and fines between  50,000 yuan ($7918.28) and  500,000 yuan for large transactions.

Lesser transactions can face up to 20,000 yuan to 200,000 yuan in fines. The new law comes into effect from March 1.

The supreme court’s ruling also quells speculation that crypto may not be completely outlawed in the country. The Eastern Zhejiang province had recently hiked electricity tariffs specifically for cryptocurrency miners, indicating that the government was trying to curb crypto mining with high bills, rather than legal action.

Still, the move had little impact on the crypto market, as focus remains on Russia-Ukraine tensions. Markets had rebounded overnight, as sentiment towards equities improved.

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Chinese crypto exposure still exists

However, the country is still not completely divorced from the crypto world. China had introduced its own digital yuan, at the Winter Olympics.

NFTs are also a legal gray area in the country, albeit with some restrictions. Last year, the state-run Xinhua News Agency had released “digital collectibles” minted from a blockchain on Tencent Cloud.

Alibaba and Tencent, China’s two largest technology firms, have been seen investing in the NFT space. Last year, the e-commerce giant opened its own NFT market place.

 

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
With more than five years of experience covering global financial markets, Ambar intends to leverage this knowledge towards the rapidly expanding world of crypto and DeFi. His interest lies chiefly in finding how geopolitical developments can impact crypto markets, and what that could mean for your bitcoin holdings. When he isn't trawling through the web for the latest breaking news, you can find him playing videogames or watching Seinfeld reruns. You can reach him at [email protected]
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.