South Korea’s Ruling Party Pushes for Spot Crypto ETFs and Banking Overhaul—Wall Street’s Old Guard Shudders
South Korea’s political heavyweights are making a power play—proposing spot crypto ETF trading and a sweeping banking reform. The move could crack open institutional crypto access while forcing legacy finance to adapt or die.
The ETF Gambit:
If approved, spot crypto ETFs would let investors bypass the hassle of direct custody—finally giving pensions and mutual funds a compliant on-ramp. No more gray-market shenanigans.
Banking’s Reckoning:
The proposed reforms target archaic financial infrastructure, potentially slashing red tape that’s kept crypto firms locked out of traditional banking partnerships. About time—unless you’re a bureaucrat clinging to your spreadsheets.
The Fine Print:
Skeptics whisper this might just be political theater ahead of elections. But with retail traders already flooding local exchanges, the pressure’s on to deliver—or watch capital flee to friendlier hubs like Singapore.
One thing’s clear: Seoul’s done watching from the sidelines. Now, who’s left holding the bag—innovators or the dinosaurs?
Crypto ETFs and Exchange Rules at the Center of PPP’s Reform Plan
Among the most notable measures announced by the PPP is a plan to lift the existing restriction that limits crypto exchanges to partnering with only one bank for real-name verified accounts.
This “one exchange, one bank” rule was originally introduced by financial authorities to increase transparency and monitor suspicious financial activity. Critics have argued, however, that the rule has restricted competition and limited banking access for new or smaller crypto exchanges.
In addition, the PPP has pledged to legalize the trading of spot crypto ETFs within South Korea before the end of the year. Party lawmaker Park Soo-min noted during the session that spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US have already gained considerable attention and trading volume.
According to Park, South Korea’s continued delay in approving such products could place it at a competitive disadvantage in the rapidly evolving global digital asset space. While both the PPP and the Democratic Party have previously expressed interest in lifting the ETF ban, this marks the PPP’s clearest commitment to date.
Regulatory Commitments Include Stablecoin Framework and Security Tokens
The policy roadmap also includes plans to create a legal framework for security token offerings (STOs) and establish comprehensive guidelines for the issuance and regulation of stablecoins.
The aim, according to party officials, is to align with global standards and provide regulatory clarity for issuers and investors alike. These efforts would be supported by the introduction of the “Digital Asset Promotion Basic Act,” a legislative proposal intended to formalize the country’s long-term crypto policy.
To oversee these initiatives, the PPP plans to launch a dedicated crypto policy committee under the leadership of its presidential candidate.
The committee will focus on encouraging responsible innovation, supporting the domestic crypto industry, and restoring investor confidence following a period of heightened regulatory scrutiny.
Given all these at play, South Korea’s position in the global digital asset market could be significantly impacted depending on the outcome of the June election and the subsequent implementation of these policy changes.
Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView
