Former Zipmex CEO Faces Fraud Charges in Thailand

Legal action has been initiated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand against Akalarp Yimwilai, the former CEO of Zipmex, on the grounds that he misled clients about the usage of their digital assets. In a statement issued on February 8, the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission disclosed that Akalarp gave misleading information on the transfer of funds from user Z Wallets to cryptocurrency wallets located overseas while he was CEO of Zipmex Thailand. Withholding important information from clients, the SEC claimed, amounted to “corruption and deception” in this distortion of Zipmex’s terms and conditions.

Allegations and Regulatory Response

The Thai SEC has forwarded a complaint regarding Akalarp’s alleged misconduct to the Office of the Provincial Crime Suppression Division in Thailand for further legal action. Zipmex Thailand, the local branch of the Singapore-based crypto exchange Zipmex, is also under scrutiny for similar allegations of fraud, as reports surfaced of discrepancies in customer assets uncovered during the SEC’s investigation.

Akalarp Yimwilai served as the CEO of Zipmex Thailand from August 2018 until November 2023, as indicated by his LinkedIn profile. Prior to his role at Zipmex, he held positions as a legal counsel and political correspondent within the Thai government for eight years.

The legal action taken against Akalarp coincides with increased regulatory scrutiny of Zipmex Thailand’s business practices. After being acquired by V Ventures in 2023, the cryptocurrency exchange came under regulatory attention. The Thai SEC issued an order on February 2 telling Zipmex to halt its brokerage and trading services for digital assets in the interim. In an indication of a stringent approach to financial regulation in Thailand’s emerging cryptocurrency business, the company was given a 15-day ultimatum to meet regulatory standards.

The SEC’s forceful measures against Akalarp Yimwilai and Zipmex highlight the necessity of strong regulatory supervision to safeguard investor interests and preserve market integrity, as well as the significance of openness and accountability in the digital asset industry.