South Korea's major opening! Listed companies and institutional investors are now permitted to trade cryptocurrencies

2026-01-12 03:21:25

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【Chain News】The Korea Financial Services Commission (FSC) has just announced a major move—officially allowing listed companies and professional investors to participate in cryptocurrency trading. What does this mean? The nine-year ban is finally being lifted.

Under the new regulations, eligible corporate institutions can invest up to 5% of their net assets annually in the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization on Korea’s five major exchanges. Sounds like a high threshold? Not really—this policy adjustment is expected to create market access opportunities for approximately 3,500 entities, including listed companies and professional investment firms at the official level.

Regulators have also thoughtfully set some risk control measures, such as requiring exchanges to implement staggered execution and limit order sizes. However, there is still a debate over a detail: whether USDT and other dollar-pegged stablecoins can be considered investment assets. This issue is still under discussion; let’s wait and see how the final policy is shaped.

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LiquidationSurvivor

· 01-12 03:50

Nine years! Finally, the moment has arrived. Korea is really going to start playing for real now.

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MevTears

· 01-12 03:46

The nine-year ban is finally lifted. Looking forward to Korea's move this time Are institutional investors really about to enter? Or is it just another hype A 5% net asset limit...a bit conservative, with 3,500 companies eager to get in The discussion about stablecoins isn't over yet; I still feel there will be some twists Korea has finally opened the window; will it be another story of a promising start ending in disappointment Once institutions enter the crypto space, everything will change. Cherish the moment.

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GasFeeCry

· 01-12 03:45

Finally here, Korea is really going all out this time Nine years, just waiting for this moment But the 5% cap is a bit conservative, if it were me, I’d just open it up completely Are 3,500 institutions rushing in? Can the price withstand it? Why are you still hesitating over stablecoins? Isn’t it obvious they’re about to stir up trouble?

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MissedTheBoat

· 01-12 03:41

Haha, finally waited for it. Korea's move this time is really awesome. --- Nine years, this ban should have been lifted long ago. --- 5% limit is a bit small, but at least it's a start compared to nothing. --- 3500 institutions are entering the market, now it's time for a liquidity scramble. --- Stablecoins are still being discussed? What are they thinking, just implement it quickly. --- It's the top 20 coins again, small and medium projects will have to fall behind. --- Institutions are coming, retail investors just want to relax? Laughable. --- Is Korea's policy trying to imitate the US model? --- Why only the top 20? Do other coins deserve to be discriminated against? --- What exactly are the risk control measures? That's the key, right?

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