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#FOMCMeeting

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is a crucial part of the Federal Reserve System that determines the direction of monetary policy in the United States. Here's what you need to know about the FOMC meeting:

*What is FOMC?

The FOMC is a committee that sets monetary policy, including setting interest rates and buying or selling government securities on the open market. This committee plays a vital role in promoting maximum employment and price stability.

*Recent FOMC Meeting Highlights*

In the May FOMC meeting:
- The Committee decided to keep the federal funds rate unchanged at 4.25%-4.50% for the third straight meeting.
- The FOMC stated that uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased further, and the risks of higher unemployment and inflation have also risen.
- The Federal Reserve will continue with the pace of decline of its securities holdings, $5 billion of U.S. Treasury securities, and $35 billion of agency mortgage-backed securities each month

*FOMC Meeting Schedule*

The FOMC holds eight regularly scheduled meetings per year. For 2024, the meeting dates were
- January 30-31
- March 19-20
- April 30-May 1
- June 11-12
- July 30-31
- September 17-18
- November 6-7
- December 17-18

*Importance of FOMC Minutes*

The minutes of the FOMC meeting provide valuable insights into the Committee's discussion and decision-making process. These minutes can impact market expectations and Treasury bond yields, especially if the tone differs from the initial statement

*Where to Find More Information*

You can find more information on the FOMC meeting minutes, transcripts, and other documents on the Federal Reserve's official website or through the FRASER database

$BTC

(BTC):

- *BTC/USDT*: Bitcoin vs. Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar
- *BTC/ETH*: Bitcoin vs. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization
- *BTC/LTC*: Bitcoin vs. Litecoin, a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency and open-source software project
- *BTC/BNB*: Bitcoin vs. Binance Coin, the native cryptocurrency of the Binance exchange

Some other notable pairs include ¹:
- *BTC/SOL*: Bitcoin vs. Solana, a fast and scalable blockchain platform
- *BTC/XRP*: Bitcoin vs. XRP, a fast and low-cost cryptocurrency for cross-border payments
- *BTC/DOGE*: Bitcoin vs. Dogecoin, a community-driven cryptocurrency

You can find real-time prices and charts for these pairs on platforms like CoinGecko, TradingView, or CoinCodex.

#VietnamCryptoPolicy

Vietnam's cryptocurrency policy is a work in progress. Here's what you need to know ¹ ²:
- *Current Status*: Cryptocurrency is not recognized as a legal payment method, and using it for payments is prohibited. However, owning and trading cryptocurrency is not strictly illegal.
- *Regulatory Framework*: The government is developing a legal framework to regulate cryptocurrency, expected to be completed by May 2025. This framework will address ownership, anti-money laundering (AML) measures, taxation policies, and licensing requirements for crypto operations.
- *AML Measures*: Vietnam has implemented strict AML regulations, requiring cryptocurrency exchanges to:
- *Collect and Verify Identities*: Implement rigorous user identification and verification processes.
- *Report Suspicious Transactions*: Immediately report unusual transactions to authorities.
- *Store Transaction Information*: Keep detailed transaction records for at least 5 years.
- *Taxation*: The taxation of cryptocurrency is still ambiguous, but the Ministry of Finance has stated that buying and selling digital currency is a taxable commercial business activity.
- *Government Stance*: The government is taking a cautious approach, balancing the potential benefits of blockchain technology with concerns about financial stability.

*Upcoming Changes*:

- *New Regulations*: The government is expected to introduce new regulations on electronic money transfers, including stricter management and supervision of international transactions using cryptocurrencies.
- *Licensing Requirements*: Cryptocurrency exchanges will likely need to obtain licenses and comply with strict regulations.

*Impact on Businesses and Investors*:

- *Increased Legitimacy*: Clear regulations may encourage broader adoption and increase legitimacy.
- *Compliance*: Businesses and investors will need to comply with new regulations, including AML measures and taxation policies.
- *Growth Opportunities*: A well-regulated cryptocurrency market could attract more investment and innovation.

#MetaplanetBTCPurchase

Metaplanet, a Japanese investment firm, has been actively purchasing Bitcoin (BTC) as part of its treasury reserve asset strategy. Here are some key points about their recent BTC purchases ¹ ² ³:
- *Recent Purchases*: Metaplanet announced its first Bitcoin purchase of 2025, acquiring 269 BTC, bringing its total holdings to 2,031.41 BTC, valued at approximately 24.872 billion yen.
- *Bond Issuance*: To fund these purchases, Metaplanet issued 0% ordinary bonds worth 2 billion yen ($13.35 million) and 1.75 billion yen ($11.3 million) with a 0.36% annual interest rate.
- *Total Holdings*: As of now, Metaplanet holds around 2,235 BTC, valued at approximately $192.4 million, making it one of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders in Asia.
- *Strategy*: Metaplanet aims to accumulate 10,000 Bitcoin by Q4 2025 and increase its total holdings to 21,000 BTC by the end of 2026, worth around $2 billion at current market prices.
- *Inspiration*: The company is following a strategy similar to MicroStrategy's, using Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset to enhance shareholder value.

Metaplanet's aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy has led to significant growth in its stock price, with a surge of over 600% year-to-date. The company's stock price has been boosted by its disciplined and consistent investment approach, making incremental Bitcoin buys every other week .

#TrumpBTCTreasury

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, utilizing Bitcoin obtained through federal forfeitures. Here's what we know about the reserve ¹ ²:
- *Purpose*: The reserve aims to hold Bitcoin as a store of value and will not sell any deposited Bitcoin to avoid losing taxpayer value.
- *Initial Holdings*: The reserve will be capitalized with approximately 200,000 Bitcoin currently owned by the federal government.
- *Acquiring More Bitcoin*: The Secretaries of Treasury and Commerce are authorized to develop budget-neutral strategies to acquire additional Bitcoin without imposing extra costs on American taxpayers.
- *Digital Asset Stockpile*: The executive order also establishes a US Digital Asset Stockpile, which will hold other digital assets seized through forfeiture, such as Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Ripple (XRP), and Ethereum (ETH).
- *Management*: The Treasury Department will oversee responsible management of the stockpile and may determine strategies for potential sales.
- *Goals*: The reserve aims to ³ ¹ ⁴:
- *Enhance Financial Stability*: Diversify national reserves and boost legitimacy of cryptocurrencies among financial institutions.
- *Support Industry Growth*: Make the US the "crypto capital of the world" and drive economic growth and technological leadership.
- *Centralize Management*: Resolve disjointed handling of cryptocurrencies seized through forfeiture by various federal agencies.

The move marks a significant shift in the US government's approach to digital assets and has sparked mixed reactions from economists and policymakers. Some argue it could enable government manipulation of the crypto market, while others see it as a strategic advantage in the global financial system

$BTC

"You're looking for information on coin pairs with Bitcoin (BTC)? A coin pair refers to a pair of cryptocurrencies that can be traded against each other. If you're looking for BTC coin pairs, here are some popular options:

1. BTC/USDT (Bitcoin/Tether)
2. BTC/ETH (Bitcoin/Ethereum)
3. BTC/LTC (Bitcoin/Litecoin)
4. BTC/BNB (Bitcoin/Binance Coin)

What do you want to do? Trading, investing, or something else? Let me know!"

Let me know if you'd like more details or specific information on trading or investing in these pairs!

#CardanoDebate
The Cardano debate revolves around its potential, roadmap, and comparisons with other blockchains. Here are some key points:

*Cardano's Strengths:*

- *Meticulous Development*: Cardano's roadmap is designed by experts in computer science and cryptography, ensuring a thorough approach to blockchain development.
- *Decentralization*: Cardano champions decentralization and self-custody, aligning with the core values of cryptocurrency.
- *Scalability*: With the Hydra update, Cardano aims to process millions of transactions per second, making it a top choice for real-world applications ¹.

*Cardano's Weaknesses:*

- *Slow Development*: Cardano's deliberate approach has led to criticism of slow development and missed deadlines.
- *Fierce Competition*: Cardano faces stiff competition from other layer-one blockchains like Ethereum and Solana.
- *Programming Language*: Cardano's use of Plutus, a Haskell-based language, can make it challenging to onboard new developers ¹.

*2025 Roadmap:*

- *Scaling and Governance*: Cardano's 2025 roadmap focuses on scaling, interoperability, and governance improvements, aiming to position itself for mainstream adoption.
- *Hydra Update*: The Hydra layer-2 solution will enable fast, low-cost transactions, and improve scalability.
- *Interoperability*: Cardano is working on Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol to enhance security and cross-chain functionality ².

*Price Performance:*

- *Recent Surge*: Cardano's price has surged over 200% in recent months, indicating growing interest and institutional demand.
- *Future Prospects*: Analysts predict potential growth towards $2.3, but caution about possible price corrections due to overvaluation concerns

$ADA

Cardano (ADA) is a popular cryptocurrency with a current price of $0.6376, representing a 0.96% increase in the last 24 hours. Here are some common trading pairs for ADA ¹ ² ³:
- *ADA/USDT*: Cardano vs. Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, with a trading volume of $308.48 million on Binance Futures
- *ADA/USD*: Cardano vs. US dollar, available on Kraken with a current price of $0.6387
- *ADA/BTC*: Cardano vs. Bitcoin, though the current price isn't readily available
- *ADA/USDC*: Cardano vs. USDC stablecoin, available on Binance with a trading volume of $15.37 million

Some popular exchanges for trading ADA include ³:
- *Binance*: With a 24-hour trading volume of $84.80 million for ADA
- *KuCoin*: Offers ADA/USDT trading pair with a 24-hour trading volume of $17.72 million
- *Kraken*: Offers ADA/USD and ADA/USDT trading pairs with a 24-hour trading volume of $9.95 million
- *Bybit*: Offers ADA/USDT trading pair with a 24-hour trading volume of $25.55 million

The current market cap of Cardano is around $22.54 billion, with a circulating supply of 35.35 billion ADA tokens. Would you like to know more about Cardano's price history or its underlying technology

$BTC

BTC typically refers to Bitcoin, a popular cryptocurrency. Here are some common trading pairs with BTC ¹ ²:
- *BTC/USDT*: Bitcoin vs. Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, with a current price of $104,545.37 on Binance and $104,516.65 on Coinbase
- *BTC/USD*: Bitcoin vs. US dollar, with a current price of $105,263.0165 and a market cap of $2.092 trillion
- *BTC/ETH*: Bitcoin vs. Ethereum, another popular cryptocurrency
- *WBTC/BTC*: Wrapped Bitcoin vs. Bitcoin, with a current price of $104,599.69 and $104,589.23 on different exchanges

The current Bitcoin price is around $105,263.0165, with a 24-hour trading volume of $41,392,903,031 and a market cap of $2.092 trillion. Some popular exchanges for trading BTC include ¹ ²:
- *Binance*: Offers BTC/USDT trading pair with a 24-hour volume of $2,664,205,504
- *Coinbase*: Offers BTC/USDT trading pair with a 24-hour volume of $25,393,216
- *Kraken*: Offers BTC/USDT trading pair with a 24-hour volume of $12,511,719

#IsraelIranConflict

The Israel-Iran conflict has escalated significantly, with both countries exchanging airstrikes and missile attacks. Here's a summary of the latest developments ¹ ² ³:
- *Israel's Airstrikes on Iran*: Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran's nuclear and military sites, code-named "Operation Rising Lion". The strikes targeted multiple locations, including the Natanz nuclear facility, and resulted in significant damage and casualties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the strikes were a "pre-emptive strike" to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities.
- *Iran's Retaliation*: Iran launched over 100 drones and missiles towards Israel, which were largely intercepted by Israel's defense systems. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to deliver "harsh punishment" to Israel for the attacks.
- *International Reactions*:
- *United States*: The US has issued security alerts for several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Jordan, due to the risk of missile attacks. US President Donald Trump said he was aware of Israel's plans to attack Iran beforehand.
- *Russia*: Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Israel's military strikes on Iran, labeling them a violation of the UN Charter, and urged both nations to seek a diplomatic resolution.
- *India*: India has urged both sides to avoid escalatory steps and utilize existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy to work towards de-escalation.
- *United Nations*: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate halt to the escalating conflict, emphasizing the need for peace and diplomacy.

The conflict has resulted in ² ⁴:
- *Casualties*: At least 78 people have died, and over 300 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.
- *Damage*: The Natanz nuclear facility sustained damage in the Israeli strikes, although no casualties were reported.
- *Economic Impact*: The conflict has disrupted air travel, with Delta Air suspending flights to Tel Aviv.

$BTC

BTC typically refers to Bitcoin, a popular cryptocurrency. If you're looking for common trading pairs with BTC, here are some examples ¹ ²:
- *BTC/USDT*: Bitcoin vs. Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar
- *BTC/USD*: Bitcoin vs. US dollar
- *BTC/ETH*: Bitcoin vs. Ethereum, another popular cryptocurrency
- *BTC/LTC*: Bitcoin vs. Litecoin
- *BTC/ADA*: Bitcoin vs. Cardano

These pairs are commonly traded on various cryptocurrency exchanges. The current Bitcoin price is around $106,952.66, with a 2.45% increase in the last 24 hours. Its market cap is approximately $2.12 trillion .

#TrumpTariffs

Donald Trump's tariffs are a central part of his economic policy, aiming to protect domestic industries and reduce trade deficits. Here's what you need to know

Key Points
- *Tariff Rates*: Trump has imposed or proposed various tariff rates, including:
- *10% to 20% universal tariff* on all imports
- *60% tariff on Chinese imports*
- *25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico* (under IEEPA authority)
- *50% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports* (doubled from 25%)
- *Economic Impact*: According to the Tax Foundation, Trump's tariffs could:
- Reduce long-run GDP by 0.8% (before foreign retaliation)
- Increase federal tax revenues by $156.4 billion in 2025 (0.51% of GDP)
- *Cost US households $1,183 to $1,445 per year* (average tax increase)
- *Retaliation*: Other countries have responded with their own tariffs, affecting $330 billion of US exports and potentially reducing US GDP by 0.2%.
- *Court Rulings*: A US Court of International Trade ruled that the IEEPA tariffs are unconstitutional, but the Trump administration has appealed.

Trump's Tariff Strategy
- *Negotiation Tool*: Tariffs are used to pressure trade partners during negotiations
- *Punitive Tool*: Tariffs are used to "punish" or "sanction" countries for non-trade issues
- *Macroeconomic Tool*: Tariffs aim to protect domestic industries, reduce trade deficits, and increase revenue

Impact on Trade Relations
- *Global Uncertainty*: Trump's tariffs have created significant uncertainty in the global economy
- *Trade Agreements*: Trump's tariffs may upend traditional trading relations and impact future trade agreements

$ETH

Ethereum (ETH) is a popular cryptocurrency that can be traded with various other currencies or assets. Here are some common trading pairs involving ETH:

*Stablecoin Pairs:*

1. *ETH/USDT* (Ethereum/Tether) - a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar.
2. *ETH/USDC* (Ethereum/USD Coin) - another stablecoin pegged to the US dollar.

*Cryptocurrency Pairs:*

1. *ETH/BTC* (Ethereum/Bitcoin) - Ethereum traded against Bitcoin.
2. *ETH/LTC* (Ethereum/Litecoin) - Ethereum traded against Litecoin.
3. *ETH/Link* (Ethereum/Chainlink) - Ethereum traded against Chainlink.

*Fiat Currency Pairs:*

1. *ETH/USD* (Ethereum/US Dollar) - Ethereum traded against the US dollar.
2. *ETH/EUR* (Ethereum/Euro) - Ethereum traded against the Euro.

These pairs are commonly found on cryptocurrency exchanges. Let me know if you'd like more information on trading or specific pairs.

#CryptoRoundTableRemarks

The recent SEC Crypto Roundtable discussion, led by Chairman Paul Atkins, focused on regulatory challenges surrounding crypto asset custody. Key remarks include ¹ ²:
- *Support for Self-Custody*: Chairman Atkins emphasized the importance of self-custody for crypto assets, citing it as a "foundational American value". He advocates for greater flexibility in this area, especially when intermediation imposes unnecessary costs or restrictions.
- *Regulatory Framework*: Atkins expressed the need for clear regulatory guidelines to facilitate innovation in the crypto space. He directed the staff to explore potential amendments to existing rules and consider a conditional exemptive relief framework for DeFi platforms.
- *DeFi and American Spirit*: The roundtable discussion highlighted the alignment of DeFi principles with American values such as economic liberty and private property rights. Atkins believes that blockchain technology can modernize financial systems, promoting efficiency, transparency, and risk mitigation.

*Key Takeaways:*

- *Custody Rules*: The SEC is considering changes to custody rules under the Exchange Act, Advisers Act, or Investment Company Act to accommodate crypto assets and blockchain technology.
- *Innovation Exemption*: Atkins proposed an "innovation exemption" to allow registrants and non-registrants to bring on-chain products and services to market, potentially fostering growth in the DeFi space.
- *Market Reaction*: Following Atkins' remarks, DeFi tokens such as Compound (COMP), Uniswap (UNI), and Aave (AAVE) surged, with some experiencing double-digit gains.

#TradingTools101

Trading tools are essential for traders to analyze markets, make informed decisions, and execute trades efficiently. Here are some key trading tools:

*Technical Analysis Tools:*

1. *Charts*: Visual representations of price movements over time.
2. *Indicators*: Mathematical calculations based on price and volume data, such as Moving Averages, RSI, and Bollinger Bands.
3. *Trend Lines*: Lines drawn on charts to identify trends and patterns.

*Fundamental Analysis Tools:*

1. *Financial Statements*: Analysis of a company's income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.
2. *Economic Indicators*: Data releases such as GDP, inflation rates, and employment numbers.
3. *News and Events*: Staying up-to-date with market-moving news and events.

*Trading Platforms:*

1. *Online Brokerages*: Platforms that allow traders to buy and sell securities, such as stocks, options, and forex.
2. *Trading Software*: Programs that provide advanced trading features, such as automated trading and technical analysis.

*Risk Management Tools:*

1. *Stop-Loss Orders*: Orders that automatically close a trade when a certain price level is reached.
2. *Position Sizing*: Determining the optimal amount of capital to allocate to a trade.
3. *Risk-Reward Ratios*: Evaluating the potential profit and loss of a trade.

*Other Tools:*

1. *Screeners*: Tools that filter securities based on specific criteria, such as price, volume, or technical indicators.
2. *Alerts*: Notifications that inform traders of market events or price movements.
3. *Backtesting*: Testing trading strategies on historical data to evaluate their performance.

These are just a few examples of the many trading tools available. The specific tools used will depend on the trader's strategy, goals, and market focus.

$BTC

BTC typically refers to Bitcoin, a decentralized cryptocurrency that can be traded with various other currencies or assets. Here are some common trading pairs involving BTC ¹:
- *Stablecoin Pairs:*
- *BTC/USDT*: Bitcoin for Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar
- *BTC/USDC*: Bitcoin for USD Coin, another stablecoin pegged to the US dollar
- *Cryptocurrency Pairs:*
- *BTC/ETH*: Bitcoin for Ethereum, a popular cryptocurrency
- *BTC/LTC*: Bitcoin for Litecoin, a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency
- *BTC/ADA*: Bitcoin for Cardano, a blockchain platform
- *BTC/XLM*: Bitcoin for Stellar Lumens, an open-source blockchain network
- *Fiat Currency Pairs:*
- *BTC/USD*: Bitcoin for US dollars
- *BTC/EUR*: Bitcoin for Euros (available on some exchanges)

The current Bitcoin price is around $105,381.87, with a 0.42% increase in the last 24 hours. If you're interested in exploring more trading pairs or checking current prices, you can visit websites like TradingView or Gemini ² ³ ¹.

#USChinaTradeTalks
US-China trade talks are currently underway in Switzerland, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Analysts say expectations are low, and symbolism may outweigh substance in these talks.

*Key Points:*

- *China's Upper Hand*: China enters the talks with firmer demands, a unified message, and greater strategic patience, giving it the upper hand.
- *US Goals*: The US aims to de-escalate tensions, while China seeks significant tariff relief.
- *Tariffs*: The US has imposed a 10% blanket duty on virtually all imports, with existing 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, and parts. China has retaliated with 125% tariffs on US exports.
- *Economic Strain*: Both countries face economic strain, with the US potentially facing empty store shelves and higher consumer prices, while China grapples with lost export-related jobs.

*Possible Outcomes:*

- *Tariff Reduction*: A tariff reduction is likely, which could be a necessary first step before further negotiations.
- *Symbolic Progress*: Small adjustments may allow both governments to save face, with extended dialogue or modest tariff rollbacks possible.
- *Technical Wins*: Concrete measures, such as currency or export quota agreements, could be explored.

*Expert Insights:*

- Analysts believe China has been preparing for these talks by reducing its reliance on the US market and cultivating ties with the Global South.
- China's leaders have insisted they remain confident in hitting their GDP growth target, resisting major stimulus and focusing on long-term goals like tech self-sufficiency.

$BTC

BTC typically refers to Bitcoin, a decentralized cryptocurrency that can be traded with various other currencies or assets. Here are some common trading pairs involving BTC ¹:
- *Stablecoin Pairs:*
- *BTC/USDT*: Bitcoin for Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar
- *BTC/USDC*: Bitcoin for USD Coin, another stablecoin pegged to the US dollar
- *Cryptocurrency Pairs:*
- *BTC/ETH*: Bitcoin for Ethereum, a popular cryptocurrency
- *BTC/LTC*: Bitcoin for Litecoin, a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency
- *BTC/ADA*: Bitcoin for Cardano, a blockchain platform
- *BTC/XLM*: Bitcoin for Stellar Lumens, an open-source blockchain network
- *Fiat Currency Pairs:*
- *BTC/USD*: Bitcoin for US dollars
- *BTC/EUR*: Bitcoin for Euros (available on some exchanges)

The current Bitcoin price is around $105,381.87, with a 0.42% increase in the last 24 hours. If you're interested in exploring more trading pairs or checking current prices, you can visit websites like TradingView or Gemini ² ³ ¹.

#SouthKoreaCryptoPolicy South Korea's crypto policy is governed by several regulations aimed at ensuring the safe and secure operation of the cryptocurrency market. Here are the key aspects:

Regulatory Framework
- The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is the primary regulatory body responsible for formulating policies and supervising Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
- The Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU) receives Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) from financial institutions and analyzes them to prevent money laundering and other illicit activities ¹.

Requirements for VASPs
- VASPs must register with the KoFIU and comply with strict requirements, including:
- *Real-name verification*: Verifying customers' identities.
- *Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures*: Implementing measures to prevent money laundering.
- *Cybersecurity measures*: Protecting against cyber threats.
- *Transaction monitoring*: Monitoring transactions for suspicious activity.
- *Reporting suspicious activity*: Reporting suspicious transactions to the authorities.

Protection of Virtual Assets
- VASPs must:
- *Manage customer assets separately*: Keeping customer assets separate from their own.
- *Hold assets in cold storage*: Maintaining a certain proportion of assets in cold storage.
- *Have an insurance plan*: Having a plan in place to cover losses in case of hacking or network crashes ¹.

Taxation
- Cryptocurrency gains are subject to capital gains tax, with a tax rate of 20% for individuals and 22% for corporations.
- A 20% tax on crypto gains above $2,100 per year will be imposed.

Regulatory Framework
- The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is the primary regulatory body responsible for formulating policies and supervising Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
- The Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU) receives Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) from financial institutions and analyzes them to prevent money laundering and other illicit activities ¹.

Requirements for VASPs
- VASPs must register with the KoFIU and comply with strict requirements, including:
- *Real-name verification*: Verifying customers' identities.
- *Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures*: Implementing measures to prevent money laundering.
- *Cybersecurity measures*: Protecting against cyber threats.
- *Transaction monitoring*: Monitoring transactions for suspicious activity.
- *Reporting suspicious activity*: Reporting suspicious transactions to the authorities.

Protection of Virtual Assets
- VASPs must:
- *Manage customer assets separately*: Keeping customer assets separate from their own.
- *Hold assets in cold storage*: Maintaining a certain proportion of assets in cold storage.
- *Have an insurance plan*: Having a plan in place to cover losses in case of hacking or network crashes ¹.

Taxation
- Cryptocurrency gains are subject to capital gains tax, with a tax rate of 20% for individuals and 22% for corporations.
- A 20% tax on crypto gains above $2,100 per year will be imposed.

Recent Developments
- South Korea plans to lift its ban on institutional crypto investment, with a two-phase rollout starting in April.
- The FSC will implement a regulatory framework that extends beyond existing consumer protection rules, including stablecoin regulations and a legal framework for tokenized securities ².

Future Outlook
- The Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA) aims to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the cryptocurrency sector.
- The act will define digital assets as securities and non-securities, and will be drafted in line with international norms.