Bithumb Accused of Earning Millions Using Dark Pattern Tactics
Bithumb Under Fire for Using Dark Patterns to Pocket Millions: What You Need to Know
What’s Going On with Bithumb?
South Korea’s cryptocurrency scene has taken a major hit lately, and this time the spotlight is on one of its biggest players — Bithumb.
According to recent claims by a South Korean lawmaker, Bithumb may have earned over $4 million by using a shady tactic known as dark patterns on its trading platform.
This revelation has raised serious questions about how crypto platforms treat their users — and more importantly, how transparent they really are.
But what are dark patterns, and why does this matter to you?
Let’s break it all down.
What Are Dark Patterns?
Dark patterns are design tricks used on websites or apps to make users do things they might not really want to do.
Think of it like this:
That’s essentially what Bithumb is being accused of.
According to the lawmaker, Bithumb made it unnecessarily difficult for users to cancel transactions or get refunds. As a result, users would unknowingly end up paying more in fees or leaving money behind — and that money added up, fast.
Bithumb Allegedly Collected Millions Through These Tactics
The lawmaker, Rep. Jang Kyung-tae, pulled back the curtain during a government audit.
He claimed Bithumb used these tricky design patterns to collect around 6.3 billion Korean won — that’s over $4.6 million — in fees from users who didn’t complete withdrawals.
Why does this matter?
Because users tried to cancel or reverse certain crypto transactions, but the platform didn’t make it easy to do so. And instead of helping users fix their transactions or get their money back:
Let that sink in: This wasn’t a one-time mistake. It looks more like part of a pattern.
How People Got Trapped by These Design Choices
Crypto can already feel confusing for many people — especially those who are new to it. Now imagine logging into a trading app, ready to withdraw some digital currency, but:
Bithumb allegedly listed the option to cancel a transaction, but then made the actual process extremely hard to understand or access. In some cases, help pages provided false or misleading information about how to recover assets.
It’s kind of like telling someone they can return an item, but giving them an instruction manual that’s missing steps — and written in another language.
Who’s Speaking Out?
Representative Jang didn’t hold back. He pointed straight at Bithumb’s user interface design, saying it intentionally blocked users from canceling or retrieving assets.
He also pointed out that this money collected through dark patterns isn’t some side benefit — it’s actually being logged as official operating revenue in the company’s books.
Now think about that. This suggests Bithumb didn’t stumble into these earnings — they might have planned for them.
Jang called on South Korea’s financial regulators to investigate, especially the Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA), which oversees major crypto exchanges.
Why Should You Care?
You might be thinking — I don’t use Bithumb, so why does this matter to me?
Here’s the thing. If Bithumb, one of South Korea’s largest crypto exchanges, is using dark patterns, what’s stopping other platforms from doing the same?
This affects both crypto beginners and seasoned traders because:
Do you read all the fine print when you make a trade or transfer funds? Most people don’t. And that’s exactly what some platforms are counting on.
This Isn’t Just a Crypto Problem
Dark patterns aren’t new — they show up in all kinds of apps and websites.
What makes the Bithumb case stand out is the scale — millions of dollars — and the vulnerability of users who may not understand how to navigate crypto platforms.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
While regulators figure out how to deal with cases like this, you can take steps to avoid getting caught in similar traps.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Take your time: Don’t rush through trades or withdrawals. If anything seems confusing, pause and ask questions.
2. Look for help: Contact support teams before completing irreversible steps.
3. Use trusted platforms: Stick with exchanges that are known for transparent policies and clear user interfaces.
4. Read user reviews: Real stories from other users can reveal red flags that company websites won’t tell you.
5. Educate yourself: Even just learning one crypto topic a week can help you stay a step ahead.
Will This Lead to Real Change?
Regulations for crypto platforms are still developing, especially in countries like South Korea. Incidents like this are pushing lawmakers to speed things up.
There’s real pressure now for authorities to step in and:
This could be a turning point for how crypto exchanges operate — not just in South Korea, but globally.
The Bottom Line
Bithumb’s alleged use of dark patterns highlights an uncomfortable truth: Even in digital finance, where transparency should be key, some companies may prioritize profits over fairness.
If the claims are true, millions of dollars were earned not through trading or investing — but from users being confused, misled, or unaware.
That’s why stories like this matter.
Whether you’re sending Bitcoin to a friend or managing a full crypto portfolio, the lesson is the same:
Be alert. Know your rights. And never assume a sleek app means a fair experience.
Crypto shouldn’t be a trap. It should empower you. Keep learning, stay curious, and most importantly — always read the fine print.
