South Korea Preparing to Approve Spot Bitcoin ETFs in Crypto Policy Pivot
South Korea is reportedly preparing to approve spot Bitcoin ETFs this year as part of a major pivot in its digital asset policy.Summary
South Korea is reportedly set to approve spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) this year, detailed in the government's 2026 Economic Growth Strategy, marking a significant shift from its previous restrictive stance on crypto assets. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is leading the implementation, which, if successful, will allow domestic investors access to these products, similar to those available in the U.S. and Hong Kong. This move coincides with broader regulatory efforts, including fast-tracking 'Phase Two' digital asset legislation focused on stablecoins, which will introduce licensing, capital requirements, and strict 100% reserve backing rules to prevent collapses like the Terra-Luna event. Officials cite strong global demand for Bitcoin ETFs as a key influence, noting that over 10 million Koreans are eligible to trade digital assets. Furthermore, the government plans to integrate blockchain into public finance, aiming to digitize up to 25% of treasury operations using government-linked 'deposit tokens' by 2030.
(Source：Bitcoin Magazine)