🇰🇷 South Korea Unveils Major Crypto Policy Shift
🔍 Highlights
**Enhanced KYC & AML (June rollout)**
The FSC mandates stricter customer verification for both non‑profits accepting crypto donations and crypto exchanges. Banks and platforms must now confirm fund origins and usage to combat money laundering .
Non‑Profit Crypto Donations
Organizations need 5+ years audited history, an internal Donation Review Committee, and can only process tokens listed on ≥3 major domestic exchanges—with immediate liquidation required .
Exchange Operational Rules
Exchanges may liquidate crypto for operational expenses, capped at ~10% daily sale limits. Only top‑20 tokens by market cap are tradable. Listing rules are tightened with stricter liquidity, circulating supply, and anti‑“zombie coin” measures .
**Institutional Market Entry (Q3 2025)**
Pilot phase opening accounts for ~3,500 corporations and professional investors; later allowing public firms & institutions .
Stablecoin & ETF Push
Under President Lee Jae‑myung, bipartisan support is gaining for spot crypto ETFs, a won‑pegged stablecoin, and national pension fund crypto investment .
Crypto‑Friendly Appointments
Policy Office head Kim Yong‑beom — ex‑Hashed Research CEO — signals strong pro‑crypto regulatory direction, with plans to align with U.S. stablecoin frameworks .
