South Korea Considers Domestic Crypto Issuance Amid Stablecoin Regulation Debate
Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong signaled a potential shift in South Korea's crypto policy, revealing plans for a registration regime that could authorize domestic virtual asset issuance. The announcement comes as regulators grapple with stablecoin governance, where the Financial Services Commission and central bank remain divided over whether issuance should be restricted to bank-led consortia.
Rhee issued stark warnings about won-pegged stablecoins at Hong Kong's Asian Financial Forum, noting they could circumvent capital controls when paired with USD stablecoins. "Exchange rate volatility may trigger rapid fund shifts into dollar-linked tokens," he cautioned, highlighting Korea's 1,446.2 won/USD exchange rate pressure amid Trump-era tariff threats.
The governor emphasized USD stablecoins' liquidity advantages—lower transaction costs and global accessibility—while underscoring systemic risks. Regulatory deadlock persists as authorities balance innovation against monetary sovereignty concerns.