South Korea will introduce the second phase of the digital asset bill, with a stablecoin regulatory framework and spot ETF expected to be implemented within the year.

2026-01-09 05:42:15

【Blockchain Rhythm】 The South Korean government’s digital asset strategy has made new progress. On January 9th, it was reported that the Korean Financial Committee explicitly stated in the “2026 Economic Growth Strategy” that this year they will formulate the “Digital Asset Phase Two Legislation,” with a focus on regulating stablecoins.

Regarding stablecoins, the new legislation will establish an issuance licensing system with clear capital requirements. Issuers will need to maintain reserve assets exceeding 100% of the issuance amount to ensure sufficient backing for stablecoins. Additionally, investor protection mechanisms such as redemption rights will be clarified. At the same time, the Financial Committee and the Ministry of Economy and Finance will jointly develop regulatory plans for cross-border stablecoin transfers and trading, laying a legal foundation for international transactions.

Not only stablecoins, but spot digital asset ETFs are also coming. Considering that Bitcoin spot ETFs in the US, Hong Kong, and other regions have already formed active trading markets, South Korea has decided to introduce digital asset spot ETF trading within this year. In the past, domestic trading of spot ETFs was hindered because digital assets like Bitcoin were not recognized as underlying assets for ETFs, but this gap is expected to be filled this time.

Even more interestingly, the government plans to utilize one-quarter of the national treasury funds in the form of “deposit tokens” by 2030, effectively introducing digital currency into national-level fund management. This means South Korea is advancing the construction of blockchain-based payment and settlement infrastructure, including amending the “Bank of Korea Act” and the “National Treasury Fund Management Act,” to establish a legal framework for blockchain payment and settlement within the year. The promotion of electronic wallets is also in the plan, which can be used for daily business expenses and other payment and settlement scenarios. Overall, South Korea is systematically promoting the legalization and application of digital assets.

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DataBartender

· 21h ago

Korea's speed, huh? Spot ETF is coming this year? Better keep a close watch. The rule of 100% reserve for stablecoins feels a bit restrictive. This time, regulation is really coming into effect. Is it a long-term positive or negative... Cross-border regulation is already in place. The internationalization pace is quite interesting. How will the 100% reserve be implemented? Could it just be a paper exercise?

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DefiOldTrickster

· 01-09 06:06

Haha, Korea is regulating stablecoins again, with the 100% reserve policy? The old-timers on our chain have seen this show many times before. Every time they talk it up, but isn't it just a big arbitrage opportunity? Spot ETF launching within the year? Bro, I'm just waiting to see if the annualized return at that time can exceed 8%. Otherwise, how can we play the reinvestment strategy?

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OffchainOracle

· 01-09 06:05

South Korea is really getting serious now. The 100% reserve stablecoin sounds very stable, but what about those small projects? --- Spot ETF to be launched within the year? The speed is almost unbelievable, isn't it just empty talk again? --- Licensing system, 100% reserves, redemption rights... with this combination, the threshold is really high. Small and medium stablecoin projects are going to cry. --- Is cross-border regulation coming together to be more compliant or to covertly restrict trading? --- Finally, some regions are taking stablecoins seriously. This attitude is a signal for the entire Web3. --- The requirement for 100% reserves directly stifles a bunch of pseudo-stablecoins. Honestly, it's a bit satisfying. --- ETF + stablecoin double approach. Is Korea aiming to compete for the position of the Asian crypto hub?

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blocksnark

· 01-09 06:04

What is Korea up to again, 100% reserve stablecoins? Now that's true "stability" haha Spot ETF launching within the year? I just want to see if it can be settled sooner This wave of regulatory crackdown is quite harsh, it feels like they want to close all loopholes 100% reserve is a bit outrageous, what about other cryptocurrencies? Developed countries with strong Chinese language programs are pushing spot ETFs one after another, when can we catch up? Now countries are competing in regulation, the outlook is indeed different Issuance licensing for stablecoins, it should have been like this a long time ago, those wild projects should be phased out Cross-border transactions seem to be the real focus, ETFs are just a side note Redemption request rights? Brilliant, now investors can have peace of mind

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PriceOracleFairy

· 01-09 05:48

ngl the 100% reserve requirement is just regulation theater at this point... korea finally waking up to the arbitrage opportunity tho, spot etf inflow gonna create some juicy price deviation scenarios across exchanges

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CryptoHistoryClass

· 01-09 05:47

honestly, watching governments suddenly care about 100% reserves for stablecoins after the whole luna implosion... *checks charts from 2022* yeah, this is textbook crisis-driven regulation playbook. they're literally just copying everyone else's homework now. spot etf incoming tho? sure, let's see how long before the retail capitulation phase kicks in and everyone blames crypto again lol

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