Crypto world individuals face exit restrictions: reasons, inquiries, and coping strategies

Recently, a person in the crypto world received a late-night inquiry from a friend, stating that they suddenly couldn’t leave the country and were worried about potential legal risks due to certain gray operations in the past. In fact, this situation is not uncommon in the crypto world. This article will explore in detail the concept of exit restrictions, the reasons behind them, and how to cope with them.

Definition of Exit Restrictions

Exit restrictions refer to the control of entry and exit implemented by the national immigration authorities based on decisions from relevant departments, in accordance with the law. This specifically includes two forms: prohibition of exit and prohibition of entry, which is referred to as "exit restriction" in professional terminology.

The legal basis for this measure is scattered across multiple laws and regulations, including the Exit and Entry Administration Law, the Tax Collection and Administration Law, the Civil Procedure Law, the Criminal Procedure Law, and other laws, as well as relevant administrative regulations and departmental rules.

The Main Reasons for Exit Restrictions on Crypto World Individuals

According to the Exit and Entry Administration Law, citizens may be restricted from exiting the country in the following situations:

1. No valid documents held or refusal to accept border inspection
2. Persons currently serving a sentence or suspects in a criminal case
3. There are unresolved civil lawsuits
4. Punished for violating immigration regulations.
5. May endanger national security and interests
6. Other circumstances prescribed by law

In practice, there are usually several reasons why individuals in the crypto world are restricted from leaving the country:

1. Listed as a key suspect in a serious criminal case
2. Restricted from leaving the country by the court due to civil disputes.
3. Involve in special case investigations, such as those handled by the supervisory committee.
4. Listed as "sensitive personnel"

It is worth noting that being restricted from exiting the country does not necessarily mean that a criminal case has been filed. Sometimes it may be due to frequent entry and exit or non-compliant operations abroad that one is placed on a sensitive list. However, considering the current strict regulatory environment for crypto asset trading, individuals in the crypto world still need to remain highly vigilant.

How to Check Your Exit Restrictions Status

You can query through the following methods:

1. For situations that may involve civil disputes:

   • Query the China Execution Information Disclosure Network
   • Communicate with the executing judge through a lawyer

2. Other situations:

   • Check the document status through the National Immigration Administration's government service platform.
   • Consult on-site at the immigration management department
   • Try to purchase a plane ticket and see if it can pass through customs.

Strategies for Coping with Exit Restrictions

1. Restrictions resulting from civil disputes: entrust lawyers to handle and fulfill relevant obligations.

2. Involving criminal or special cases: promptly hire a criminal defense lawyer, communicate with the judicial authorities, and arrange family affairs accordingly.

3. Listed on the "sensitive personnel" list:

   • Identify the specific restricting authority (usually the public security authority)
   • Communicate with relevant authorities and provide necessary supporting documents, such as household registration information, bank statements, entry and exit records, overseas work certificates, etc.

Conclusion

Recently, with the relevant judicial interpretations incorporating virtual asset trading into the category of money laundering, regulatory authorities have begun to rigorously investigate related trading activities. Practitioners in the crypto world should act with caution and strictly comply with laws and regulations. If they find themselves restricted from leaving the country, it is essential to quickly assess the risks and seek professional legal assistance if necessary.