South Korea Cracks Down on Crypto Exchange Fees – Will Traders Finally Catch a Break?

Regulators take aim at opaque pricing structures as retail investors demand fairer costs.

Seoul launches sweeping probe into local crypto exchanges' fee models. The move follows mounting complaints from traders squeezed by high transaction costs—ironic, given how much traditional finance loves to criticize crypto's 'predatory' fees while quietly pocketing 2% management fees for underperforming ETFs.

Key targets include:

- Hidden withdrawal charges buried in terms of service

- Maker-taker schemes favoring institutional players

- OTC desk markups hitting retail traders hardest

The Financial Services Commission vows to 'align crypto trading costs with traditional asset classes'—a noble goal, if they can avoid the usual regulatory overreach that stifles innovation. With trading volumes down 40% from 2021 peaks, exchanges might finally have to compete on price rather than empty promises of 'VIP treatment.'