South Korea Ends 9-Year Corporate Crypto Ban, Listed Companies Allowed to Invest Up to 5% of Equity in Cryptocurrencies

According to local media reports, the Korea Financial Services Commission (FSC) has finalized guidelines permitting listed companies and professional investors to trade cryptocurrencies, ending a 9-year ban on corporate crypto investments.
Eligible companies can invest up to 5% of their equity annually in the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market cap on Korea’s five major exchanges. Approximately 3,500 entities (including listed companies and registered professional investment institutions) will gain market access, potentially unlocking trillions of Korean won in funds. Despite welcoming the policy shift, industry critics argue that the 5% cap is too conservative.
The United States, Japan, Hong Kong, and the European Union have not imposed such restrictions on corporate crypto holdings. Critics warn that this could hinder the emergence of Korean digital asset treasury companies similar to Japan’s Metaplanet. The FSC plans to release the final guidelines in January-February, with corporate trading expected to commence by the end of the year.