South Korea

Korean Finance Minister Vows Reform After Crypto Custody Failures

South Korea's finance minister pledged urgent reforms after past custody failures revealed weaknesses in how authorities safeguard seized cryptocurrency. The announcement signals possible procedural, technological and legal changes that could affect enforcement and market actors.

South Korea Seeks Law Forcing Crypto Influencers to Disclose Holdings

The Democratic Party in South Korea has proposed a bill that would require influencers to disclose their stock and crypto holdings when promoting assets, targeting undisclosed promotions and potential market manipulation.

XRP Tops BTC and ETH in South Korean Trading with $1.2B Volume

XRP logged $1.2 billion in 24-hour trading volume on major South Korean exchanges, outpacing local BTC and ETH activity. The surge highlights strong regional retail demand and could shape near-term market sentiment.

Published at 2026-02-16 09:00:14
Mirae Asset to Acquire 92% of Korbit for $93M

Mirae Asset Consulting will buy a 92.06% controlling stake in South Korean crypto exchange Korbit for about $93 million in cash, announced Feb. 15, 2026. The deal marks a major institutional push into Korea's exchange sector.

Bithumb CEO Grilled After Exchange Mistakenly Tries to Transfer 620,000 BTC

South Korea’s National Assembly confronted Bithumb CEO Lee Jae-won after the exchange accidentally attempted to transfer 620,000 BTC—about $40 billion and more than 12 times its actual holdings—raising urgent questions about controls and oversight.

Published at 2026-02-11 05:15:11
South Korean Regulator: $40B Bithumb Bitcoin Giveaway Shows Need for Stricter Rules

South Korea's top financial regulator said Monday that Bithumb accidentally distributed over $40 billion in bitcoin to customers, highlighting operational gaps in the crypto market and the need for tougher oversight.

KFTC Conducts On‑Site Probe of Bithumb Over Liquidity Advertising

South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission carried out an on-site investigation at Bithumb’s headquarters to examine advertisements and promotional materials tied to liquidity claims. The probe looks at whether marketing misled consumers about order-book depth and trade execution conditions.

Published at 2026-02-04 18:45:27
KBank Files 13 Trademarks for Stablecoin Wallet Services Ahead of KOSPI IPO

South Korea’s KBank has submitted 13 trademark applications tied to stablecoin wallet services as it steps up its digital asset push ahead of a planned KOSPI listing in March 2026. The move signals product and branding preparation rather than an immediate launch.

Published at 2026-02-04 09:45:14
Top Firms Pivot After South Korea Legalizes Tokenized Securities

South Korea has passed mid-January amendments legalizing tokenized securities under the Electronic Securities Act and the Capital Markets Act, prompting banks, exchanges and asset managers to adapt. The new framework replaces lingering uncertainty after a failed 2023 tokenization bill and opens regulated on‑chain issuance.

South Korea Tightens Crypto Licensing, Expands Scrutiny of Shareholders

South Korea has tightened licensing rules for crypto exchanges, giving regulators broader discretion to scrutinize major shareholders, financial stability risks, and internal controls. The move narrows market access and raises compliance expectations for platforms and investors.