The number of high-ranking public officials declaring virtual asset holdings has surged dramatically, according to a Newstapa report. In 2025, 1,557 officials reported holding virtual assets, a 3.8-fold increase from 358 in 2024. The total assessed value of these holdings nearly doubled, rising from 23.3 billion won to 46.5 billion won. Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP are the most preferred cryptocurrencies among these officials. Out of 1,274 individuals holding virtual assets, these two digital currencies are prominently featured. The official with the highest reported value of virtual assets is Kim Hong-soo, a member of the Gangneung City Council, with holdings assessed at 2.93677 billion won. This increase reflects the growing mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency and the need for greater transparency regarding the financial interests of public officials in the digital asset space. As virtual assets become more integrated into the financial system, scrutiny of public officials' holdings is likely to intensify. ```

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