CoinSpice confirmed CoinEX and viaBTC founder Haipo Yang was released from prison in China mere hours from the time of publication. Rumors circulated for months as to exactly what became of Yang, with scarce evidence to go by other than social media gossip.

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CoinEX, viaBTC Founder Haipo Yang Released from Prison

Through direct communication with Haipo Yang, CoinSpice can confirm he was indeed arrested and imprisoned, detained for at least two and a half months, and, just hours from the time of publication, has been subsequently released.

Shenzhen, China back in late October of 2018 was the last time most anyone heard from CoinEX and viaBTC founder Haipo Yang. Jane Wang broke the story initially, walking curious readers through a chain of what then amounted to detailed gossip.

If appears to have been at least circumstantially true. Reports about Yang’s arrest were denied, and even Ms. Wang wondered aloud if he had been picked up by Chinese authorities. All she really had to go on were vague tweets and a seeming slowing of transactions on CoinEX.

Details Yet to Emerge as to Why Yang was Arrested, Detained, Released

“The rumor first appeared in a private WeChat group called ‘Real China Power’ by Chinese blockchain executive Elly Zhang (@cryptovenus),” Ms. Wang reported back in early November, “saying that Mr. Haipo Yang had been arrested and was under control at Nantou Police Station in Shenzhen.”

Details surrounding why Yang was arrested are not immediately obvious. More speculation insists a possible pending initial coin offering (ICO) might have been reported to authorities, which could be grounds under Chinese law to at least question Yang. The country has all but banned cryptocurrency involvement with precious few exceptions.

UPDATE: Haipo Yang’s Twitter account is posting again after nearly three months:

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