South Korea Ends 9-Year Corporate Crypto Ban: Companies Can Now Invest Up to 5% in Top Digital Assets (2026 Update)

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) is set to lift longstanding restrictions, enabling listed companies and institutional investors to allocate funds to cryptocurrencies for the first time since 2017. This major policy update forms part of the nation’s proactive 2026 Economic Growth Strategy, signaling stronger integration of digital assets into mainstream finance.

Core Details of the New Corporate Crypto Framework

Under proposed guidelines shared with industry stakeholders on January 6, 2026, eligible entities—including publicly traded firms and professional investors—may direct up to 5% of their equity capital annually toward virtual assets.

Key restrictions include:

• Investments limited to the top 20 cryptocurrencies ranked by global market capitalization.
• All transactions must occur exclusively on the country’s five leading regulated platforms (such as Upbit, Bithumb, Korbit, Coinone, and others).
• Discussions continue regarding eligibility for dollar-pegged stablecoins like USDT.

Final regulations are anticipated in January or February 2026, with corporate trading potentially commencing later in the year. This cautious cap aims to manage volatility risks while opening the door to institutional participation.

The change could channel substantial capital—potentially tens of trillions of won—into the market. Analysts highlight that major players like internet giant Naver (with roughly 27 trillion won in equity) could access significant holdings, such as thousands of Bitcoin, within the permitted limit.

Broader Digital Asset Ambitions in South Korea

This reform aligns with ambitious national plans announced recently:

• Aiming to route 25% of national treasury operations through digital currency mechanisms, including central bank digital currency (CBDC), by 2030.
• Introducing a formal licensing regime for stablecoin issuers, mandating 100% reserve backing and assured redemption for users to enhance stability and trust.

These steps may accelerate approvals for spot Bitcoin ETFs and support growth in local blockchain ventures, crypto firms, and corporate digital asset strategies. Previously, many large enterprises sought overseas opportunities to circumvent domestic barriers.

The FSC’s phased approach reverses 2017 safeguards focused on anti-money laundering, reflecting evolving global trends and domestic demand for regulated crypto access.

This development positions South Korea as a forward-thinking hub for institutional crypto adoption in Asia.