Crypto investors missing millions after 2 Aussie exchanges collapse

Customers of myCryptoWallet and ACX are in a panic as the apps stop withdrawals then shut down, leaving them unable to access their funds

| More on:
Man sits in front of laptop with head in hands.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

In a warning to Australians investing in cryptocurrencies, 2 separate local exchanges have collapsed, leaving customers without their money.

A notice on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission website shows the exchange myCryptoWallet falling into liquidation last Friday.

The Motley Fool has contacted SV Partners, who has been appointed as liquidator, for comment.

The company's website is still live as of Tuesday morning, but its Android smartphone app is no longer available and its Twitter account has closed.

According to The Australian, past social media posts indicated customers were having trouble withdrawing money out of the exchange in recent months.

Even though myCryptoWallet announced in an April tweet that those issues were "finalised", many users replied that they still did not have access to their funds.

myCryptoWallet users with missing funds are instructed to contact the liquidator.

The exchange was established in March 2017, and claimed to be "a user-friendly, customer-centric, all-inclusive digital currency service" that had "a high level of security and customer safety".

Blockchain Global Limited crypto customers missing millions

Meanwhile, customers of another Australian cryptocurrency exchange, ACX, have reportedly launched legal action to recover their funds.

ACX was operated by Blockchain Global Limited, which was wound up in October, according to ASIC filings.

The Motley Fool has contacted Pitcher Partners, which was appointed as administrator, for comment.

Blockchain Global's assets consisted of millions in Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH), reported The Sunday Age.

According to the administrator's filings to the Supreme Court, the two directors, Allan Guo and Sam Lee, have fled overseas and "are difficult to contact".

A group of 94 ACX customers is taking matters into its own hands, taking the company and the directors to court for reportedly more than $10 million.

One investor told The Sunday Age he had used the platform for 3 years without issues before withdrawals were blocked without notice.

"I had no suspicion that it was a scam or anything like that. I was buying and selling, everything was functioning the way I thought it should function," he said.

"It's become obvious since then that there's been some sort of wrongdoing."

The Supreme Court has now frozen 117 bitcoins, worth about $9.2 million, from Blockchain Global's assets in an attempt to stop them from being sold or moved.

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo owns Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin coin with a rising arrow.
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin price smashes new record highs as market value tops US$2.1 trillion

Bitcoin just soared to new all-time highs. But why?

Read more »

a businessman rips open his shirt superman style to reveal the bitcoin logo on a superhero style lycra suit under his clothes.
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin price reclaims US$100,000 after AMP reveals an investment

A rising Bitcoin price could validate AMP’s recent investment decision.

Read more »

person dancing in bitcoin spectacles wearing a gold outfit with hands up.
Cryptocurrencies

Why Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin just popped again

Here's what gave investors confidence...

Read more »

Woman looks amazed and shocked as she looks at her laptop.
Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin price blasts past US$100,000 milestone before an unexpected move

Boom! The Bitcoin price just smashed through the US$100,000 mark.

Read more »

Young woman using computer laptop with hand on chin thinking about question, pensive expression.
Cryptocurrencies

Could this be the day the Bitcoin price cracks $100,000?

It's come awfully close at certain points during the past few weeks.

Read more »

ETF on white blocks with a rising arrow on top of coin piles.
ETFs

This ASX ETF is up 30% in a month. Too late to buy?

This ETF's gains have been nothing short of extraordinary.

Read more »

A man clenches his fists with glee having seen the share price go up on the computer screen in front of him.
Cryptocurrencies

Why did the Bitcoin price just rocket to another all-time high?

At new record highs, Bitcoin now has a market cap of almost US$1.8 trillion.

Read more »

Bitcoin coin with a rising arrow.
Cryptocurrencies

Why cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are shooting for the moon today

Crypto investors just sent the Bitcoin price to new all-time highs. But why?

Read more »