South Korea Lifts Ban, Lets 3,500 Firms Join Crypto Market

Crypto News Regulation

South Korea Ends Ban, Lets 3,500 Companies Join Crypto Market

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: January 12, 2026

Key Takeaways

South Korea’s FSC now lets listed firms and investment companies invest up to 5% of their equity in the top 20 cryptocurrencies;
Around 3,500 entities are expected to participate once the updated guidelines take effect;
Part of the 2026 Economic Growth Strategy, the policy also explores a won-backed stablecoin and potential approval of Bitcoin ETFs.

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South Korea Ends Ban, Lets 3,500 Companies Join Crypto Market

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The South Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC) has finalized guidelines allowing publicly listed companies and registered professional investment firms to allocate a portion of their equity to digital assets.

According to a report from Seoul Economic Daily on January 11, eligible businesses may invest up to 5% of their equity capital annually in the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, traded on South Korea's five major regulated exchanges.

About 3,500 entities are expected to become eligible for participation once the rules take effect.

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The guideline revision traces back to a 2017 ban aimed at curbing institutional involvement over concerns about money laundering.

Discussions are ongoing regarding whether stablecoins such as Tether's USDT USDT $1.00 will qualify under the new rules.

The FSC plans to release the final version of these guidelines in either January or February, with corporate trading likely to launch before year‑end.

This policy aligns with components of the national 2026 Economic Growth Strategy, which also covers the development of a won‑backed stablecoin and potential approval of spot Bitcoin BTC $90,611.33 exchange‑traded funds (ETFs).

While this regulatory change opens the door for corporate engagement in crypto markets, some industry voices caution that the 5% equity cap may be overly cautious compared to more permissive regimes in regions like the US, Japan, Hong Kong, and the EU.

Recently, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced a schedule for a new crypto licensing system that will begin in September 2026. What did the agency say? Read the full story.