South Korea’s Presidential Hopefuls Go All-In on Crypto – Is Regulation About to Flip?
Seoul’s political elite just caught crypto fever. All three leading candidates now openly endorse digital assets—marking a seismic shift from the country’s historically cautious stance.
Behind the scenes: Lobbyists whisper about relaxed exchange rules and clearer tax frameworks. Critics warn it’s just pandering to the youth vote (and those sweet, sweet campaign donations from crypto whales).
The real question? Whether this sudden enthusiasm survives contact with the FSA’s bureaucracy—or gets buried under the same red tape that strangled last year’s NFT tax proposal.
South Korea Bans Institutional Investment in Crypto
South Korea currently bans institutional investment in cryptocurrencies, and Bitcoin ETFs remain off-limits. As a result, the nation’s crypto trading volume comes entirely from retail investors.
However, the rising popularity of digital assets among the youth and the middle class appears to be shaping the candidates’ platforms.
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, and Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, have both released forward-looking pledges targeting crypto-savvy demographics.
Lee announced on Facebook that he would introduce VIRTUAL asset spot ETFs and establish an integrated monitoring system to protect investors. He also promised to reduce transaction fees, making digital asset trading more accessible to young Koreans looking to build wealth.
Kim Moon-soo echoed similar sentiments, embedding the launch of virtual asset ETFs into his “Middle Class Asset Increase Project,” a key component of his campaign. His pledge seeks to broaden the investment options for the middle class by legitimizing institutional access to the crypto market.
This policy convergence among the top candidates reflects not just domestic investor demands but also global momentum. With the U.S. aggressively advancing its digital asset framework under the current administration, South Korean leaders appear eager to modernize financial regulations and avoid falling behind.
As the local virtual asset investor base continues to grow, South Korea’s political establishment is finally responding.
If any of these candidates follow through post-election, the nation could see a policy overhaul—one that opens the door to Bitcoin ETFs and institutional investment, transforming Korea from a retail-driven market to a global crypto hub.
South Korea’s Digital Asset Committee Redefines Crypto Regulation
South Korea jolted its presidential race on May 13 when the Democratic Party unveiled a Digital Asset Committee, vowing to pull crypto regulation straight into the next president’s office. The committee, formed under the party’s election campaign arm, held its first meeting on Tuesday at the National Assembly Members’ Hall in Seoul.
Local news agency, News1, reported that the initiative comes as digital assets emerge as a key issue in the upcoming presidential election.
The committee will play a central role in drafting pledges, driving legislation, and building frameworks for digital assets, with early discussions focused on the Basic Digital Asset Act, known as the “Stage 2 Bill.”
