According to a report in Business Korea, the South Korean government has stated they will punish initial coin offerings (ICOs) that raises funds in the form of stock issuance using digital currencies permitted in some countries, including Switzerland, for violating the capital market act.
In addition, they will thoroughly examine customer information leakages caused by hacking and take severe disciplinary action for violations. They are also planning to examine the current conditions of digital currency traders and establish joint inspection systems with the KFTC, prosecution, police and NTS.
In China, seven government administrations including the People's Bank of China, China Securities Regulatory Commission, China Banking Regulatory Commission and China Insurance Regulatory Commission issued a joint statement where they reiterated that ICOs are unauthorized illegal fund raising activity.
The statement said authorities are banning all organizations and individuals from raising funds through ICO activities and that all banks and financial institutions should not do any business related to ICO trading.
At a first glance, governments trying to discipline digital currencies markets might be seen as interfering with the proliferation of this new technology. However, as a more careful analysis suggests, it might instead signify a growing recognition of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as influential value transfer protocols by authorities (have a look here: https://goo.gl/8EnkVa)
For more info:
http://www.the-blockchain.com/2017/09/04/south-korea-plans-crackdown-icos/
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/04/chinese-icos-china-bans-fundraising-through-initial-coin-offerings-report-says.html
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