South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) announced plans to issue comprehensive guidelines for institutional cryptocurrency investment by the third quarter of 2025. The announcement, made during a meeting with local crypto industry experts on March 12, 2025, indicates the country’s commitment to enhancing its crypto market regulations.

South Korea to issue institutional #crypto investment guidelines by Q3
The Financial Services Commission (FSC) confirmed plans to release investment guidelines for public companies and professional investors by Q3, with non-profits and exchanges set to receive guidance as early as well.

To bolster its crypto market, South Korea is accelerating regulatory efforts, as stated by FSC Vice Chairman Kim So-young. He emphasized that the future guidelines would define ‘best practices’ for institutional crypto investments, focusing on trading, disclosure, and reporting requirements, alongside stringent anti-money laundering measures.

The guidelines are expected to include:

• Standards for cryptocurrency trading
• Disclosure requirements
• Reporting obligations
• Enhanced anti-money laundering protocols

This move is seen as an effort to keep up with global trends, especially as the US prompts increased discussions around cryptocurrency regulations.

In addition, the possibility of establishing a Bitcoin reserve in South Korea is currently under consideration. CEO of blockchain firm xCrypton, Kim Jong-seung, noted the necessity of a clear policy in response to the US’s potential shifts.

Furthermore, Representative Kim Min-seok of the Democratic Party stated that should his party come into power, they would reshape South Korea’s emerging crypto policies. He highlighted that blockchain finance and virtual assets are crucial to the nation’s economic strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• The institutional investment guidelines are part of a larger regulatory framework being developed in South Korea.
• This move builds upon earlier announcements that aimed to gradually lift the ban on institutional investor participation in the crypto market.