The Hong Kong influencer Joseph Lam has disassociated himself from the crypto platform JPEX, denying any allegations in the unfolding investigation of the exchange. Lam held a press conference yesterday (Friday), revealing that he had not only closed his own company but also terminated the rental contract for his office.

Lam's abrupt severance of his connection with JPEX comes in the wake of his arrest earlier this week, along with ten others, all linked to an alleged conspiracy to defraud investors. The case in question involves a staggering HK$1.37 billion, making it the largest of its kind in the city.

JPEX Exchange Saga

Lam, who was released on bail without any formal charges, worked as an insurance agent and a barrister, but it was his involvement in an over-the-counter (OTC) crypto exchange store that brought him into the JPEX fold. In July, Lam took to social media to announce his application for partnership with JPEX, confirming his status as a partner to Ming Pao, a local news outlet that uncovered his promotional activities for the crypto platform.

However, during his recent press conference, Lam did not disclose the extent of his involvement with JPEX, refusing to provide any details beyond announcing his cessation of operations with the platform and the closure of his company.

Lam, known for his substantial Instagram following, was apprehended by authorities in Hong Kong on Monday. His arrest is closely linked to the suspension of trading activities on JPEX. Regulators allege that JPEX had been operating in the country without the necessary license, leading to a series of legal actions.

In the aftermath of the arrests, Hong Kong police have taken measures to freeze assets amounting to over HK$60 million that are linked to the suspects. JPEX’s legal challenges escalated when the exchange took drastic measures in response to a crackdown by authorities. In its latest move, JPEX has filed for the deregistration of its Australian entity, JP-EX Crypto Asset Platform PTY LTD (JPEX).

JPEX Faces Heightened Regulatory Scrutiny

The unraveling of JPEX's troubles began with a warning issued by Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The SFC revealed that JPEX falsely claimed to have applied for a license with the regulator, casting doubts on the legitimacy of the exchange's operations. Furthermore, the SFC alleged that JPEX's other license claims were also false, sparking concerns among investors.

The unfolding saga began when JPEX confirmed the suspension of all its trading activities, citing a series of challenges it faced in the wake of negative news and perceived unfair treatment by relevant institutions in Hong Kong. In a blog post, the exchange stated that "our partnered third-party market makers have maliciously frozen funds" and that these market makers were demanding more information for negotiation, thereby restricting the exchange's liquidity and significantly increasing its daily operational costs.