South Korea Regulator Backs Ownership Caps for Crypto Exchanges
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) chair confirmed that ownership caps for crypto exchanges are still being negotiated while lawmakers work on the Digital Asset Basic Act, with a mid‑February deadline approaching. The regulator’s endorsement of limits indicates momentum toward formal rules on who may control trading platforms, yet specific cap levels, scope, and enforcement details have not been published.
The move matters because ownership limits could curb concentration, influence merger and acquisition plans, and affect foreign investment in local venues, while aiming to strengthen governance and investor protection. The ongoing legislative debate and persistent uncertainty may pressure exchange operators to revisit corporate structures and compliance plans ahead of final rules, potentially creating short‑term market headwinds until lawmakers settle the bill.