Bithumb staff received a citation from the commissioner general of the National Police Agency in recognition of their contribution to helping victims of voice phishing recover assets and preventing losses.

Bithumb said on Wednesday that Ko Hyung-chan (고형찬), head of the customer support unit at its investor protection team, won the "KB Kookmin Guardian Award."

At an awards ceremony held on Sept. 15 at KB Kookmin Bank’s new building in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo district, Ko became the first employee of a digital asset exchange to receive a citation from the national police chief.

Ko was recognised for blocking about 3.8 billion won in voice phishing victim funds that flowed into Bithumb through KB Kookmin Bank through July this year, using an in-house system and other measures.

Bithumb said it has built a cooperation system with the National Police Agency and KB Kookmin Bank this year and is operating a relief process for voice phishing victims. It said the process returned about 9 billion won in victim assets to 163 victims.

Bithumb said it is carrying out relief work that supports asset recovery after losses occur as well as preventing voice phishing. It said it reviews filed applications and works with related institutions including police and financial institutions to support the return of victim assets.

A Bithumb official said, "To minimise voice phishing damage, swift responses after an incident and cooperation among related institutions are important," adding, "We will continue to work closely with related institutions and do our utmost to protect users' assets."