South Korea has clarified its long-awaited regulatory direction for digital assets with the release of its 2026 Economic Growth Strategy. According to the document, the Financial Services Commission will accelerate phase-two digital asset legislation while preparing to open the door for spot digital asset ETFs.
Authorities pointed to active spot Bitcoin ETF trading in major markets such as the United States and Hong Kong as key reference points. This marks a significant shift for South Korea, where digital assets have not previously been accepted as underlying assets for ETFs.
Stablecoin regulation also features prominently in the strategy. The upcoming legislative phase is expected to introduce issuer licensing, reserve requirements exceeding 100 percent, and clear redemption rights for users. A separate framework is also planned for cross-border stablecoin transactions to better manage financial risks.
In addition, the government aims to manage around a quarter of public funds through blockchain-based deposit tokens by 2030, enabling public payments via digital wallets once the legal framework is finalized. Market observers see the potential approval of spot ETFs as a major catalyst for increased institutional interest in both Bitcoin and the broader altcoin market.
