South Korea’s ruling People Power Party has confirmed that the trading of spot digital asset ETFs will be permitted by the end of this year, according to local media outlet Edaily. For the first time, this development will allow domestic investors to gain exposure to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum through exchange-traded funds.
Representative Park Soo-min emphasized that introducing crypto-backed ETFs in South Korea is long overdue, particularly given that countries such as the U.S., Hong Kong, and the U.K. have already made significant progress. “Hong Kong and the U.K. have also approved spot ETF trading in succession. Korea has no time to delay,” said Park, underscoring the need for South Korea to keep pace with global trends.
This move is part of a broader set of regulatory reforms proposed by the ruling party to spur growth in South Korea’s crypto industry. Beginning in the second quarter of this year, companies will be permitted to trade in digital assets, marking a major step forward in the country’s integration of blockchain technology.
Another major reform is the repeal of South Korea’s “One Crypto Exchange, One Bank” rule, which had previously restricted each crypto exchange to partnering with only one bank. While this policy was initially introduced to combat financial crimes such as money laundering and to monitor suspicious transactions, its removal is expected to foster greater flexibility and competition within the crypto market.
Recognizing the limitations of this policy, the South Korean government is taking steps to create a more dynamic regulatory environment for crypto exchanges, allowing them to form partnerships with multiple banks. Furthermore, the People Power Party has introduced a new token securities (STO) bill, including a stablecoin regulatory framework that aligns with global standards.
In addition to these reforms, South Korean presidential candidate Hong Joon-pyo has pledged to remove cryptocurrency regulations, drawing a parallel to the regulatory rollback seen during the Trump administration in the U.S. His commitment highlights the growing push to advance blockchain technology in South Korea and position the country as a leader in the global crypto space.
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