South Korea Ends Corporate Crypto Ban, Opens Market to Investment

South Korea has officially lifted its nine-year ban on corporate cryptocurrency investments. Under the new rules, listed companies and professional investors can now invest up to 5% of their equity capital in the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization on the nation’s five major exchanges. 

The move comes as the Financial Services Commission (FSC) prepares to release final “Virtual Currency Trading Guidelines for Listed Corporations” in early 2026. 

As per a local report, the new regulations aim to attract large-scale capital into South Korea’s cryptocurrency market while mitigating risks from speculative trading. About 3,500 corporations, including publicly listed firms, will be eligible. 

Authorities continue to discuss whether stablecoins, such as Tether’s USDT, will qualify for investment. “The authorities will release the final guidelines in January or February and allow corporations to trade in virtual currencies for investment and financial purposes,”  said a senior financial official. 

Corporate investment limits and market impact

To protect market stability, the FSC has capped corporate cryptocurrency investment at 5% of a company’s equity capital. Investments are limited to the top 20 coins by domestic market capitalization, with updates occurring semiannually. Additionally, the government plans to implement standards for fractional trading and orders exceeding certain price thresholds.

Industry insiders welcome the decision but argue that the limits are restrictive. Unlike South Korea, countries like the United States and Japan impose no restrictions on corporate crypto holdings. 

Meanwhile, the European Union and Singapore broadly allow corporate participation. One insider noted, “Once corporate transactions begin, we expect the domestic virtual currency market to improve,” but cautioned that “investment limits could weaken fund inflow and prevent specialized virtual currency investment firms from emerging.”

With corporate capital entering the market, speculative demand is expected to decline. The introduction of won-denominated stablecoins and Bitcoin spot ETFs could accelerate as companies establish long-term positions. For example, Naver, with 27 trillion won in equity, could theoretically hold over 10,000 Bitcoin if it invested 5% of its assets. This influx of tens of trillions of won could reshape liquidity dynamics in the domestic market.

Legal and regulatory context

The new corporate investment framework is in line with other legal developments that happened just this month. South Korea’s Supreme Court recently ruled that cryptocurrencies held on exchanges can be legally seized under the Criminal Procedure Act. With this decision coming into place, the digital assets carry real economic value and are subject to court action. 

Moreover, there is an upcoming Phase Two Virtual Asset Law that aims to cap ownership stakes in cryptocurrency exchanges, introduce shareholder qualification reviews, and regulate stablecoin issuance.

Authorities classify exchanges with over 11 million users as “core infrastructure,” highlighting the need for governance reforms. These changes aim to prevent concentrated control by a small group of founders and major shareholders while fostering transparency in exchange operations.

Global implications

Apart from South Korea, Hong Kong is set for a similar overhaul in insurance regulations that will see insurers permitted to invest in crypto. The Insurance Authority in Hong Kong is proposing a 100% risk charge on crypto assets with risk-proportionate guidelines for stablecoins.

South Korea’s decision could bring huge amounts of corporate money into the crypto market, helping reduce risky speculation and encouraging steady, long-term growth. Clear rules and guidelines may also make it easier for big companies to get involved, while also boosting adoption, market activity, and innovation in the cryptocurrency space.

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