China's Communist Party has called for stricter action against corruption involving virtual currencies, blockchain and cross-border capital. The resolution does not introduce a new trading ban, and existing restrictions on crypto services remain in force.
China's Communist Party called for stricter action against corruption involving cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology and cross-border financial transfers in a resolution its Central Committee adopted on October 29. According to the official text published by Xinhua, the party wants investigators to pursue officials who use digital assets and concealed financial arrangements to receive bribes or move illicit wealth.
The resolution targets concealed bribes
The resolution emerged from the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party Central Committee, held in Beijing from October 26 to 29. Its Section VII calls for investigations into officials, businesspeople and intermediaries who help hide illegal payments.
Officials must investigate both the people receiving bribes and those offering them. The document places particular attention on senior officials, their family members and associates, as well as younger officials accused of abusing their positions.
Beyond domestic cases, the party also wants closer cooperation with overseas authorities to pursue fugitives and recover assets transferred outside China.
No new crypto trading restrictions
However, the text does not identify particular exchanges, stablecoins or transaction methods for additional restrictions. It does not name Tether, offshore trading venues or over-the-counter dealers, although USDT can be used in cross-border transfers.
Existing rules already cover the sector. In February 2026, the People's Bank of China and seven other government departments issued updated regulations covering cryptocurrency transactions, unauthorized token issuance and certain activities involving tokenized real-world assets. Under those rules, Bitcoin, Ethereum and stablecoins such as USDT do not have the same legal status as China's sovereign currency.
Crypto bribery cases already under investigation
Chinese investigators have already pursued officials accused of taking crypto payments. In January 2026, state broadcaster CCTV examined the case of Yao Qian, a former China Securities Regulatory Commission official who previously led the central bank's digital currency research institute. According to reporting by Yicai Global, investigators found that Yao received 2,000 ETH from a businessman seeking help with a cryptocurrency fundraising project.
The October resolution also instructs disciplinary authorities to develop digital supervision systems and big-data platforms for monitoring the exercise of public power.
Source: crypto.news
Trading involves risk.
Risk Disclaimer
