BitFlyer USA, a cryptocurrency exchange licensed to operate in New York, has been fined $1.2 million by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) for non-compliance with cybersecurity regulations. The NYDFS found that the exchange failed to maintain a compliant cybersecurity program, leading to the penalty. However, the NYDFS acknowledged the exchange’s efforts to improve its cybersecurity program by the end of the year. BitFlyer Holdings is the parent company of BitFlyer USA.
BitFlyer USA Penalized by NYDFS for Non-Compliance with Cybersecurity Regulations
BitFlyer USA, a cryptocurrency exchange offering trading and custodial wallet services in the United States, has been fined $1.2 million by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) for violating cybersecurity regulations. The NYDFS had been investigating bitFlyer USA since granting it a license under the Virtual Currency and Cybersecurity Regulations in 2017. During the course of the investigation, the regulator found several inadequacies in the exchange’s cybersecurity program.
The NYDFS noted that bitFlyer USA failed to comply with the Cybersecurity Regulation and did not establish or maintain an effective cybersecurity program through written policies as required by the Virtual Currency Regulation. The exchange was also found to have relied on BitFlyer Japan for audits, developments, customer support, and other tasks. This penalty underlines the importance of ensuring compliance with cybersecurity regulations in the cryptocurrency industry.
“bitFlyer USA had not performed a comprehensive risk assessment as required by 23 NYCRR § 500.09(a), bitFlyer USA’s cybersecurity program was not designed to protect its electronic systems from unauthorized use in violation of 23 NYCRR § 200.16(a).”
The NYDFS has set a deadline of December 31, 2023, for the crypto exchange to enhance its cybersecurity programs. Despite the deficiencies identified in the consent order, the regulator acknowledges that bitFlyer USA is making ongoing efforts to address the issues.
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