Bitcoin ETF Momentum Builds in South Korea but Regulation Lags Behind

The Korea Exchange (KRX), South Korea's securities operator, is signaling operational readiness to introduce new investment products, including crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as part of a modernization effort to overcome the "Korea discount." KRX chairman Jeong Eun-bo highlighted this readiness during a New Year ceremony, even though regulators, specifically the Financial Services Commission, are still deliberating whether current securities regulations can accommodate crypto assets as eligible underlying assets. Currently, digital assets are not classified as such, effectively blocking crypto ETFs despite significant investor demand and political momentum, which included a presidential candidate pledging approval. KRX's public positioning suggests that market infrastructure is ready to move quickly once regulatory hurdles concerning the Capital Markets Act are cleared.

(Source：Cointelegraph)