South Korea is preparing to lift its nine-year-old ban on corporate cryptocurrency investments, allowing public companies and professional investors limited exposure to digital assets.
In South Korea, a major shift in crypto policy is underway. The Financial Services Commission is finalizing a regulatory framework that would reopen the door for institutional participation in the crypto market. Local reports suggest the rules could be clarified soon, with implementation expected later in the year.
Under the proposed framework, eligible companies and professional investors would be allowed to allocate up to 5 percent of their equity capital to cryptocurrencies on an annual basis. Investment options would be limited to the top 20 digital assets by market capitalization traded domestically, reflecting a cautious and controlled approach.
The regulation is expected to apply to roughly 3,500 entities, effectively ending the corporate ban introduced in 2017. Authorities are also considering additional safeguards such as phased transactions and price controls to minimize market disruption. Discussions are still ongoing regarding whether dollar-pegged stablecoins will be included, but the move signals a clear step toward broader institutional adoption of digital assets in South Korea.
