KuCoin Faces $2M Unpaid Award Over Delisted CHP Token Dispute

A Seychelles Supreme Court docket ruling has ordered cryptocurrency change KuCoin to pay over $2 million to Swiss investor Didier Rabl, however the cost stays excellent. The case facilities on the delisting of 21 million CoinPoker (CHP) tokens, which KuCoin allegedly deemed ‘deserted’ after sending a sequence of withdrawal notices in 2021.

Based on courtroom paperwork, the Seychelles courtroom declared on December 11, 2025, that Rabl is the rightful proprietor of the CHP tokens and awarded him $2 million in USDT, plus $10,000 in ethical damages. Nonetheless, KuCoin’s Seychelles-based entities, which didn’t seem or defend the case, have but to adjust to the judgment. The Monetary Providers Authority (FSA) of Seychelles confirmed receipt of the ruling, stating that KuCoin-linked entities had already been compelled to stop operations within the jurisdiction after a digital asset service supplier (VASP) license utility was rejected in June 2025.

This authorized battle raises broader considerations about how exchanges deal with delisted tokens. KuCoin’s emails to Rabl in 2021 reportedly warned that failure to withdraw CHP by a specified deadline would consequence within the tokens being thought-about ‘deserted,’ with no restoration rights. Nonetheless, the courtroom discovered that these unilateral notices didn’t meet the contractual or authorized requirements required to strip a buyer of their token possession. The emails additionally went unread, and no further notification strategies have been used, reminiscent of cellphone calls or bodily mail.

Implications for Token Delisting Practices

The courtroom’s determination might set a precedent for the way exchanges handle delisted belongings. KuCoin’s phrases of use on the time allowed the platform to droop or terminate accounts however lacked specific language claiming possession of unwithdrawn tokens post-delisting. The courtroom dominated that KuCoin remained obligated to safeguard buyer belongings and fulfill lawful withdrawal requests, even after delisting.

CHP tokens, initially issued as a part of a poker-focused blockchain mission, have seen declining market exercise. As of June 13, 2026, CHP trades at $0.0007398, with a market cap of simply $101,726. This displays each diminished change help and the mission’s diminished liquidity. The broader crypto market has seen comparable delisting controversies, together with KuCoin’s latest removing of Commerce Tide Token (TTD) on June 5, 2026, beneath its Particular Remedy guidelines, citing low liquidity and compliance considerations.

Authorized and Regulatory Tensions

Authorized consultants spotlight the boundaries of the Seychelles ruling, as KuCoin didn’t take part within the proceedings. Joshua Chu, co-chair of the Hong Kong Web3 Affiliation, identified that the judgment was issued ex parte—with out enter from KuCoin’s entities—and holds no binding pressure exterior Seychelles. But, the case nonetheless underscores the obligations of exchanges working as VASPs to segregate and safeguard consumer belongings.

For now, Rabl has reportedly initiated additional authorized motion in Seychelles to implement the award. In the meantime, KuCoin has not responded to a number of requests for remark.

With regulatory scrutiny growing globally, unresolved disputes like this one may amplify requires tighter oversight of cryptocurrency exchanges, notably concerning delisting procedures and consumer asset protections.

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