$BTC

South Korea is rapidly advancing its crypto regulatory framework, signaling a more open stance toward digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC). Starting in 2025, institutional investors—including charities, universities, and listed firms—will be allowed to trade cryptocurrencies under strict anti-money laundering (AML) and real-name account systems. BTC is officially not classified as a security, giving it regulatory clarity and positioning it as a legitimate digital asset. The country’s Virtual Asset User Protection Act, effective July 2024, further strengthens user safeguards by requiring exchanges to store at least 80% of crypto in cold wallets and insure against hacks. These reforms are expected to boost investor confidence, increase liquidity, and align South Korea with global trends in crypto regulation.