Chinese authorities investigating blockchain-based fitness app Qubu for alleged illegal fundraising 

Quick Take

  • Authorities in China are said to be investigating blockchain-based fitness app Qubu for alleged illegal fundraising practices
  • Qubu promised returns of up to 36.8% via its virtual currency “candies”
  • The app claimed to have 95 million registered users

Local authorities in China's Hunan province are reportedly investigating blockchain-based fitness app Qubu for alleged illegal fundraising practices and financial fraud.

Nikkei Asian Review-affiliate KrASIA reported the news Wednesday, saying that Qubu rode the trend of blockchain in China and promised its users some "candies" - Qubu's virtual currency - in exchange for a task of walking 4,000 steps a day for 45 days.

Qubu's candies were reportedly marketed as an investment instrument with a return of up to 36.8% in over 60 days. The app claimed to have 95 million registered users (nearly one in 10 mobile users in China) and charged new users 1 yuan ($0.14) to sign up as a member, per the report. 

Qubu's app also reportedly had a facility where candies could be exchanged for cash and anyone could buy candies from other users using cash. Qubu said it had issued 1 billion candies. One user, who spoke with KrASIA, spent 15,000 yuan ($2,150) in Qubu as an investment as he believed that blockchain-based assets would make him a good return. That turns out to have been a gross miscalculation, he told the news outlet. 

Though Qubu claimed to operate on a blockchain platform, industry observers told the news outlet that it had little to do with the technology. 

THE SCOOP

Keep up with the latest news, trends, charts and views on crypto and DeFi with a new biweekly newsletter from The Block's Frank Chaparro

By signing-up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
By signing-up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Indeed, one of China's most high-profile news programs, "Focus Report," recently reported that there are 32,000 alleged blockchain companies in China but only less than 10 percent of them actually use the technology.

Further, data by China’s National Internet Emergency Center, revealed that there are over 755 tokens on the market that are not backed by real initiatives or have hit zero after inception. The center also identified 102 coins that allegedly swindled consumers with Ponzi schemes. 

Chinese companies seem to be rushing over blockchain ever since the country's president Xi Jinping publicly said that China should commit to accelerating the development and application of blockchain technology.

Focus Report program, however, said that regulations need to be strengthened and "the public need to keep their eyes wide open for fraudulent activities.”


© 2023 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

About Author

Yogita Khatri is a senior reporter at The Block, covering all things crypto. As one of the earliest team members, Yogita has played a pivotal role in breaking numerous stories, exclusives and scoops. With nearly 3,000 articles under her belt, Yogita holds the records as The Block's most-published and most-read author of all time. Prior to joining The Block, Yogita worked at crypto publication CoinDesk and The Economic Times, where she wrote on personal finance. To contact her, email: [email protected]. For her latest work, follow her on X @Yogita_Khatri5.