China is reportedly raising the bar on its cryptocurrency crackdown
China is targeting websites and mobile apps that offer cryptocurrency exchange-like services, it was reported Monday.
Beijing plans to block domestic access to Chinese and offshore cryptocurrency platforms that allow centralized trading.
Chinese authorities will also target people and companies that provide market-making, settlement and clearing services for centralized trading. It did not described these plans in any further detail.
The country shocked the digital currency space in 2017 when it moved to ban initial coin offerings (ICOs) — a means for start-ups to raise funds by selling off new cryptocurrencies — and shut down domestic cryptocurrency exchanges.
Major digital currencies fell last week after reports of South Korea banning cryptocurrency trading via exchanges emerged. Bitcoin made a recovery Monday, however, trading 4.78 percent higher on CoinDesk at $14,269.80 a coin. CoinDesk's bitcoin price index tracks prices from digital currency exchanges Bitstamp, Coinbase, itBit and Bitfinex.
What about Binance, OkEx and Kucoin? I think they are all based in China.
I think they just want a bigger piece of the pie.