$BTC South Korea is rapidly reshaping its cryptocurrency landscape in 2025. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) recently announced a phased roadmap allowing institutional engagement: in H1, nonprofits like charities and universities may open “real‑name” exchange accounts and sell donated crypto; in H2, approximately 3,500 listed firms and professional investors will join the pilot program to trade digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This marks a major shift from the 2017 ban, originally aimed at curbing speculation and money laundering.

Alongside institutional access, regulators are working on new laws by year’s end to enhance transparency—setting stricter listing standards, stablecoin rules, minimum circulating supply requirements, and anti-manipulation safeguards. These steps follow South Korea’s 2024 Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which already bolstered exchange custody mandates and investor protections.

Implications for Bitcoin: Allowing institutional players to participate should significantly increase market liquidity, reduce volatility, and boost legitimacy. As larger investors enter via regulated channels, Bitcoin demand in Korea is likely to strengthen, supporting price stability and aligning Korean markets with global crypto trends.