South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb announced that it will temporarily suspend USDT withdrawals on the Kaia network, effective at 1:45 UTC on May 28. In an official notice, Bithumb confirmed that this suspension applies only to USDT transactions handled via the Kaia network, and withdrawals on other networks will not be affected. Bithumb said the measure is temporary but did not provide a specific restoration date.
Scope of the Suspension and Alternative Network Options Confirmed by Bithumb
In its announcement, Bithumb confirmed that the suspension applies only to USDT withdrawal requests processed via the Kaia network, and the USDT withdrawal function for other networks on the Bithumb platform is not affected. For users who attempt to withdraw USDT via Kaia after the 1:45 UTC cutoff, Bithumb confirmed they may encounter transaction failures or delays.
In terms of alternative networks, Bithumb confirmed that users can use Ethereum (ERC-20), Tron (TRC-20), and BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20) as alternative withdrawal channels during the suspension period. It also advised users to verify whether the target wallet address supports the selected network before performing transactions to avoid loss of funds due to network incompatibility.
Background Explanation Without Disclosure of Reasons by Bithumb
Bithumb did not specify the exact reason for the suspension in its announcement. Such temporary shutdown measures are typically related to network upgrades, wallet technical maintenance, or internal security reviews; in recent months, other platforms have also seen similar temporary suspensions due to networks such as Polygon and Solana.
The South Korean crypto exchange is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). The FSC requires exchanges to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and user protection agreements. Bithumb confirmed that it will notify users of the restoration time via official announcement channels, but did not provide a specific timeline.
FAQ
Does this Bithumb suspension affect all USDT withdrawals or only those on the Kaia network?
According to Bithumb’s confirmation notice, the suspension applies only to USDT withdrawals processed via the Kaia network; USDT withdrawal functions on other supported networks (such as ERC-20, TRC-20, and BEP-20) are not affected.
When does the suspension start, and when is it expected to resume?
Bithumb confirmed that the suspension takes effect at 1:45 UTC on May 28, 2026. Bithumb stated this is a temporary measure but did not provide a specific restoration date, confirming that the restoration time will be communicated via official announcement channels.
During the suspension period, how should users handle their USDT withdrawal needs?
According to Bithumb’s advice, users can switch to Ethereum (ERC-20), Tron (TRC-20), or BNB Smart Chain (BEP-20) as alternative withdrawal channels. Bithumb also urged users to verify whether the target wallet address supports the selected network before initiating transactions to avoid fund losses due to network incompatibility.
