South Korea is preparing to lift its long-standing ban on corporate cryptocurrency investment, a shift that could unlock significant institutional capital and reshape the country’s digital asset market after nearly a decade of restrictions.
New guidelines would cap corporate crypto exposure
The Financial Services Commission has shared draft guidelines that would allow listed companies and professional investors to allocate up to 5% of their equity capital to cryptocurrencies, according to a report from Seoul Economic Daily. The proposal marks a reversal of rules imposed in 2017, when authorities barred institutional participation over money laundering concerns.
Under the plan, corporate investments would be limited to the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization and conducted only through South Korea’s five largest regulated exchanges. A senior FSC official said final guidelines are expected to be released between January and February, opening the door to crypto transactions for legal entities for both investment and financial purposes.
Market impact could be substantial
The policy change could funnel tens of trillions of won into digital assets. As an example cited in the report, tech giant Naver, which holds about 27 trillion won ($18.4 billion) in equity capital, could theoretically deploy enough funds to purchase roughly 10,000 Bitcoin within the proposed limits.
Analysts also expect the move to accelerate discussions around a national stablecoin and spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. While support for crypto ETFs has been growing domestically, regulatory approval has yet to materialize. Stablecoins such as Tether’s USDT remain under review, with their inclusion still being debated by regulators.
Broader digital currency push takes shape
The FSC shared the updated framework with its crypto working group on Jan. 6, following earlier signals in February 2025 that South Korea would adopt a phased easing of corporate crypto rules. The shift aligns with a wider digital currency strategy taking shape at the government level.
As part of its 2026 Economic Growth Strategy, South Korea aims to route 25% of national treasury transactions through a central bank digital currency by 2030. The plan also includes a licensing regime for stablecoin issuers, requiring full reserve backing and legally protected redemption rights. Together, these measures suggest Seoul is moving toward deeper integration of digital assets into its financial system.