- Companies will have the ability to invest up to 5% of their equity capital in cryptocurrencies.
- Only top-tier cryptocurrencies on major regulated exchanges will qualify for investment.
- The status of stablecoins is still under review by regulatory authorities.
In a momentous policy shift, South Korea is set to allow corporate investments in digital assets, ending almost a decade of stringent restrictions.
Financial regulators are revising long-standing prohibitions that have prevented companies from holding any cryptocurrency since 2017. This change comes amid increasing concerns about money laundering and market volatility.
Reviving Corporate Access to Crypto
As per a recent report by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), corporate entities will be allowed to allocate a maximum of 5% of their equity capital to cryptocurrencies.
This information was also highlighted by the Seoul Economic Daily.
Regulators are expected to finalize these guidelines in January or February. Once enacted, companies will have the freedom to participate in virtual currency transactions for investment and financial purposes, marking the end of a nine-year ban.
The FSC initially suggested a gradual easing of the rules regarding corporate crypto investment back in February 2025, presenting the latest draft to its crypto working group on January 6th.
This approach indicates a measured, cautious re-opening rather than a swift liberalization of the market.
Limits on Asset Investment
The proposed guidelines clearly define where and how companies can invest in cryptocurrencies.
Corporate investments will be limited to the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, allowing companies to limit their exposure to the most liquid and widely traded assets.
Furthermore, transactions must occur through South Korea’s five largest regulated exchanges, which reinforces oversight and compliance measures.
The inclusion of stablecoins pegged to the dollar is still being debated. Regulatory bodies are evaluating the possibility of allowing assets like Tether’s USDT under the new rules.
These constraints are designed to mitigate the financial crime risks that necessitated the original ban while acknowledging the growth and maturity of the domestic market since 2017.
Market Impact Projections
The reintegration of corporate investments could lead to substantial inflows of capital into cryptocurrency markets.
The Seoul Economic Daily has suggested that potential investment figures could reach tens of trillions of won.
For perspective, internet giant Naver, which holds approximately 27 trillion won in equity capital, could theoretically invest around 10,000 Bitcoin under the proposed cap.
Moreover, this change might redefine corporate strategies. Large South Korean firms have been investing in digital assets internationally to circumvent domestic restrictions, and lifting local limitations may bring those activities back to the national market, supporting blockchain startups and related infrastructure.
A Comprehensive Digital Currency Strategy
This corporate crypto shift aligns with South Korea’s broader digital currency ambitions.
The government aims to conduct 25% of national treasury transactions via a central bank digital currency (CBDC) by 2030 as part of its ambitious 2026 Economic Growth Strategy.
In addition, authorities plan to establish a licensing framework for stablecoin issuers. This framework will require issuers to maintain 100% reserve backing and guarantee legally binding redemption rights for users.
Together, these initiatives suggest that South Korea is striving to integrate crypto assets, stablecoins, and CBDCs under a cohesive regulatory framework, rather than treating them as separate experiments.
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