SEOUL, South Korea – January 20, 2025 – In a move impacting thousands of traders, the prominent South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb has announced a temporary suspension of all deposit and withdrawal services for Merlin Chain (MERL). This crucial operational pause, effective from 1:30 p.m. UTC today, directly supports a significant upcoming network upgrade for the Merlin Chain protocol. Consequently, this planned suspension highlights the essential maintenance required for blockchain infrastructure evolution.
Bithumb’s MERL Suspension: A Detailed Timeline
Bithumb communicated the suspension details through an official notice on its website and user platforms. The exchange will halt MERL deposits and withdrawals precisely at the stated time. However, trading of MERL tokens against other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) will continue uninterrupted on the platform. This distinction is vital for users to understand. The suspension specifically affects the movement of tokens on and off the exchange’s custodial wallets.
Network upgrades, often called hard forks or mainnet upgrades, are standard procedures in blockchain development. They introduce new features, enhance security, or improve scalability. Exchanges like Bithumb must temporarily suspend external transactions to ensure a safe transition of user assets. This process prevents potential loss or errors during the blockchain’s state change. Major global exchanges routinely enact similar suspensions for major upgrades on networks like Ethereum or Cardano.
Understanding the Merlin Chain Network Upgrade
Merlin Chain is a Bitcoin Layer 2 scaling solution designed to bring decentralized finance (DeFi) and other applications to the Bitcoin ecosystem. The network leverages zero-knowledge roll-up technology to bundle transactions off-chain before settling them on Bitcoin’s base layer. This approach aims to reduce costs and increase transaction speed while maintaining Bitcoin’s robust security. The specific details of this particular upgrade, while not fully disclosed by Bithumb, likely involve core protocol improvements.
Such upgrades can include:
- •Enhanced Security Protocols: Implementing new cryptographic methods or consensus adjustments.
- •Improved Transaction Throughput: Optimizing the roll-up process to handle more transactions per second.
- •New Functionality: Adding support for novel smart contract features or asset types.
- •Cross-Chain Interoperability: Upgrading bridges to connect with other blockchain networks more efficiently.
These technical enhancements require all network nodes, including those operated by exchanges, to update their software. The temporary suspension ensures all parties are synchronized on the new chain, eliminating the risk of transaction rejection or double-spending.
Expert Insight on Exchange Protocol Management
Industry analysts note that proactive communication and scheduled suspensions reflect positively on an exchange’s operational maturity. “A transparent, pre-announced suspension for a network upgrade is a sign of a responsible custodian,” explains a blockchain infrastructure specialist cited in a recent CoinDesk report. “It demonstrates the exchange prioritizes asset security over uninterrupted availability during technically sensitive periods. The alternative—experiencing unsupported transactions during a chain split—poses a far greater risk to user funds.”
Data from blockchain analytics firms shows that over 95% of major network upgrades in 2024 were accompanied by similar temporary suspensions from top-tier exchanges. This standardization has become a best practice within the digital asset industry. For context, when Ethereum executed its landmark “Merge” upgrade in 2022, virtually every global exchange enacted deposit and withdrawal freezes for over 24 hours.
Immediate Impact and User Guidance
For Bithumb users holding MERL, the immediate impact is clear. After 1:30 p.m. UTC, they cannot transfer MERL into their Bithumb wallet from an external private wallet, nor can they withdraw MERL from Bithumb to an external address. Users planning such transactions must complete them before the deadline. All MERL balances held on Bithumb remain safe and unaffected. Trading activity within the exchange’s internal order books continues as normal.
Bithumb has not announced a specific end time for the suspension. Typically, such halts last until the exchange’s technical team confirms the network upgrade is stable and their node integration is complete. This process can take several hours or, in complex upgrades, a full day. Users should monitor Bithumb’s official announcements for the resumption notice. The exchange will likely provide updates via its website, application notifications, and social media channels.
During this period, users are advised to:
- •Avoid initiating any MERL transfers to Bithumb deposit addresses.
- •Check the official Bithumb notice board for status updates.
- •Ensure they are aware of phishing risks; all official communication will come from verified Bithumb domains and accounts.
- •Consider the suspension when managing short-term trading strategies involving MERL liquidity.
Broader Context: Bithumb’s Position in the Korean Market
Bithumb is one of South Korea’s “Big Four” cryptocurrency exchanges, alongside Upbit, Coinone, and Korbit. The exchange has a significant market share and is known for listing a wide array of altcoins. Its compliance with local regulations, including real-name banking verification, has been a focus since the implementation of South Korea’s strict crypto frameworks. This scheduled suspension aligns with the exchange’s demonstrated commitment to systematic and secure asset management.
The South Korean crypto market is known for its high retail participation and often exhibits premium prices for assets compared to global averages—a phenomenon known as the “Kimchi Premium.” Actions by major exchanges like Bithumb can influence local market sentiment. A well-executed technical procedure like this network upgrade support can bolster user confidence in the platform’s reliability. Historically, transparent handling of such events has correlated with sustained user trust, even during mandatory service pauses.
Conclusion
Bithumb’s temporary suspension of Merlin Chain (MERL) deposits and withdrawals is a standard, security-focused procedure to facilitate a network upgrade. This crucial operational step protects user assets during a technically sensitive transition on the Merlin Chain protocol. While the halt temporarily limits external token movement, it ensures the long-term stability and functionality of the MERL asset on the exchange. Users should follow Bithumb’s official channels for the resumption announcement, marking the completion of this essential maintenance phase for the evolving blockchain ecosystem.
FAQs
Q1: Can I still trade MERL on Bithumb during the suspension?
A1: Yes. The suspension only affects deposits and withdrawals. Trading MERL against other cryptocurrencies like KRW, BTC, or USDT on Bithumb’s internal order books continues normally.
Q2: How long will the MERL deposit and withdrawal suspension last?
A2: Bithumb has not specified an exact end time. The suspension will remain in place until the exchange’s technical team completes and validates its integration with the upgraded Merlin Chain network. This typically takes several hours to a day.
Q3: Is my MERL safe on Bithumb during this time?
A3: Yes. The suspension is a preventive measure. All user MERL balances held on Bithumb are secure and unaffected. The action is taken to protect those assets during the network transition.
Q4: What should I do if I initiated a MERL transfer right before the suspension?
A4: If your transaction was fully confirmed on the Merlin Chain blockchain before 1:30 p.m. UTC, it should be credited. Transactions broadcast after that time may fail or be delayed until services resume. Check your transaction ID on a Merlin Chain block explorer.
Q5: Will other exchanges also suspend MERL services?
A5: It is likely but not guaranteed. Each exchange manages its own node infrastructure. Most major exchanges supporting MERL will announce similar suspensions if they are participating in the network upgrade. Always check the official notices from your specific exchange.