Share this article
iCE3 Exchange Halts Bitcoin, Litecoin Withdrawals After 'Discrepancies' Found
The firm has urged users to withdraw holdings of other cryptocurrencies.
Updated Feb 9, 2023, 1:21 p.m. Published Mar 18, 2021, 1:09 p.m.
Make us preferred on GoogleSouth African cryptocurrency exchange iCE3 has urged users to withdraw cryptocurrency holdings from its platform after it found “discrepancies” in its balances.
In an announcement on Tuesday, the exchange said, "After consultation and deliberation with our partner Merkeleon.com and [its] subsidiary Coinspaid.com, we have not been able to reach a satisfactory conclusion." Merkeleon.com is an Austrian-based software firm that builds exchanges and processes software.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
iCE3 said, based on the advice of its legal and auditing team, it had suspended deposits and trading in the two cryptocurrencies.
It has also halted withdrawals of bitcoin and litecoin "pending the outcome of a full investigation and reconciliation," though other cryptocurrencies can be withdrawn. "We urge you to do so as soon as possible," the notice reads.
Read more: Lessons From the Nifty Gateway NFT Heist: Not Your Keys, Not Your Art
Further status information available on the exchange's updates page.
CoinDesk has reached out to iCE3 seeking more information, but did not receive a response by press time.
More For You
KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.
What to know:
- KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
- This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
- Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
- Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
- Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
More For You
Gold tops $5,000 as bitcoin stalls near $87,000 in widening macro-crypto split: Asia Morning Briefing
Bitcoin’s onchain data points to supply overhang and weak participation, while gold’s breakout is priced by markets as a durable macro regime shift.
What to know:
- Gold’s surge above $5,000 an ounce is increasingly seen as a durable regime shift, with investors treating the metal as a persistent hedge against geopolitical risk, central bank demand and a weaker dollar.
- Bitcoin is stuck near $87,000 in a low-conviction market, as on-chain data show older holders selling into rallies, newer buyers absorbing losses and a heavy supply overhang capping moves toward $100,000.
- Derivatives and prediction markets point to continued consolidation in bitcoin and sustained strength in gold, with thin futures volumes, subdued leverage and weak demand for higher-beta crypto assets like ether reinforcing the cautious tone.
Top Stories
