OKX has regained access to South Korea’s Google Play Store after a brief suspension, while rival exchange Bybit remains unavailable to Android users in the country.
According to a report published on July 28, the OKX app reappeared on South Korea’s Google Play Store, allowing users to download the application and receive updates again. The app had disappeared from the platform on July 24, leaving users unable to install new versions or update existing ones for about four days.
The return makes OKX the first major overseas crypto exchange among the recently affected platforms to restore its Play Store availability in South Korea.
Bybit still unavailable
While OKX has returned, Bybit remains blocked on the Korean Google Play Store. The exchange’s app reportedly became unavailable on July 10 and had not been restored at the time of the latest report.
Users are still able to access some affected exchanges through their websites or, in many cases, through Apple’s App Store, but Android users relying on Google Play continue to face restrictions for certain platforms.
Wider crackdown on overseas crypto exchanges
The issue is part of a broader effort by South Korean authorities and platform providers to monitor overseas cryptocurrency exchanges operating without local registration.
Earlier investigations found that at least 29 overseas crypto exchange apps had become unavailable on South Korea’s version of Google Play. Some apps were completely removed from search results, while others displayed messages indicating that the service was unavailable in the region.
The affected exchanges included platforms such as OKX, Bybit, Gemini, WhiteBIT, BitMEX, KuCoin, MEXC, BingX, XT.COM, LBank, and CoinW.
Google policy and regulatory pressure
Reports suggest that the restrictions were not solely based on actions by South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Google appears to have enforced some removals under its own policies regarding unregistered virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
South Korean regulators have continued tightening oversight of the crypto sector, particularly for overseas firms serving local users without proper registration under the country’s financial regulations.
Authorities have also increased enforcement against suspected market manipulation and unfair trading practices since the implementation of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act.
OKX continues global expansion
The restoration in South Korea comes as OKX continues expanding in other regulated markets.
Recently, the exchange launched services across multiple European countries to help customers convert USDT into MiCA-compliant USDC following regulatory changes in the European Union. The company has also been growing its institutional business and expanding operations in the United States after relaunching its U.S. exchange and self-custody wallet.
For now, South Korean Android users can once again download and update the OKX app, while Bybit users continue to wait for any announcement regarding a similar return to Google Play.
