Operação conjunta da SEC tailandesa e CCIB prende suspeitos em batida a site da Worldcoin em Bangcoc
Autoridades tailandesas fecham o cerco à criptomoeda polêmica
Em uma operação coordenada que mistura tecnologia de ponta com aplicação da lei tradicional, a Comissão de Valores Mobiliários da Tailândia (SEC) e a Divisão de Crimes Cibernéticos (CCIB) executaram uma batida surpresa em instalações da Worldcoin na capital tailandesa.
Suspeitos detidos em operação relâmpago
A ação resultou na prisão de múltiplos indivíduos ligados às operações da controversa criptomoeda baseada em biometria ocular. As autoridades mantêm sigilo sobre os detalhes específicos das acusações, mas fontes próximas ao caso sugerem violações de regulamentações financeiras e preocupações com proteção de dados.
Biometria ocular sob escrutínio
A Worldcoin, que promete distribuir tokens em troca de escaneamentos de íris, enfrenta crescente resistência de reguladores globais preocupados com a coleta de dados biométricos sensíveis. A Tailândia junta-se assim a países como Alemanha, França e Argentina no questionamento do modelo de negócios da empresa.
Mais um capítulo na saga regulatória das criptomoedas - porque quando se trata de inovação financeira, alguns governos preferem prender primeiro e fazer perguntas depois.
SEC warns public about illegal Worldcoin activity
Before the arrests, the SEC had already issued a warning to the public about unlicensed operations tied to Worldcoin, advising people to avoid exchanging WLD tokens through platforms not approved by Thai regulators. The SEC’s surveillance unit had been tracking various operators suspected of violating the licensing requirement. Their monitoring focused not only on trading activity, but also on how Worldcoin and other coins were promoted and marketed inside the country.
During a press conference held the same day as the raid, SEC Deputy Secretary-General Jomkwan Kongsakul said, “This collaboration will enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement in prosecuting and suppressing unlicensed digital asset businesses, while protecting users from lack of legal protection and mitigating risks of scams and money laundering.”
The agency reminded operators that anyone promoting crypto or offering digital asset services in Thailand must comply with the existing rules or face prosecution.
Government starts crypto-to-baht tourist pilot
While the crackdown on Worldcoin continues, the Thai government is also testing a new pilot program to allow foreign visitors to convert cryptocurrency into baht. The program launched Monday and will run for 18 months, according to Finance Ministry permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit.
He said conversions will be limited to 550,000 baht (about $16,949.15) to prevent abuse and detect money laundering. The conversion must go through registered Thai exchanges and then into digital wallets, which can be used to pay local businesses.
“This project will support tourism,” said Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, noting that the move could help boost tourist spending.
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