South Korea Targets January Approval for Digital Asset Law After Stablecoin Deal
South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties reached a landmark deal on a digital asset law on Dec. 1, 2025, centered on a comprehensive framework for stablecoins. The agreement sets out rules for issuance and reserve management, oversight responsibilities, consumer protections and anti-money-laundering measures, and leaders say they will push for parliamentary approval in January.
The timing matters for markets and issuers: a January passage would provide legal clarity for exchanges, issuers and banks, potentially encouraging domestic issuance and greater institutional participation while tightening safeguards. Lawmakers must still finalize bill text and clear committee stages, and industry groups will be watching implementation details closely, since reserve, custody and licensing requirements will determine how quickly the new regime is put into practice.