"Virtual Assets, Now Part of the Financial System... Institutionalization is Key" [Virtual Asset Investment Insight Forum 2025]

The 'Virtual Asset Investment Insight Forum 2025', hosted by the Korea Economic Daily, was held at Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul on the 25th. Government and National Assembly officials attending the forum emphasized the need for virtual asset policy and regulatory reform and close communication between the government and ruling party for this purpose.

In a congratulatory speech, Vice Chairman Kim So-young of the Financial Services Commission stated, "The common theme in the global virtual asset market recently is 'institutionalization' and 'uncertainty resolution'," and added, "The government will proactively respond to the new digital financial order by creating a predictable regulatory environment."

Vice Chairman Kim explained, "Through the Virtual Asset User Protection Act implemented last July, we first introduced basic protective measures such as deposit protection and prohibition of unfair trading," and added, "We are now actively working on preparing an integrated law covering everything from business entry requirements to disclosure regulations."

In addition to enacting the integrated law, the government plans to quickly prepare detailed guidelines for anti-money laundering (AML), security, and internal control in collaboration with a private expert task force (TF). Vice Chairman Kim emphasized, "We are closely cooperating with the National Assembly to enact the integrated law by the second half of this year," and added, "As virtual assets have grown larger than the stock market, we will do our best to create a trustworthy ecosystem."

Chairman Yoon Han-hong of the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee pointed out, "Since President Trump's inauguration, the U.S. has been moving quickly in terms of Bitcoin strategic assetization and legislation preparation," and added, "Our country has not yet clearly determined its direction."

He stated, "This forum provides insights into the direction the government and National Assembly should take," and added, "The National Assembly should also enhance its understanding of the virtual asset market and support institutional reform together with financial authorities." He continued, "It was only last year that the investor protection-related law was passed," and added, "Now that corporate market participation has become possible, follow-up measures are urgent."

President Kim Jeong-ho of the Korea Economic Daily also stated in his opening remarks, "Virtual assets, once compared to the tulip bubble, have now become part of the global financial system," and added, "Discussions on institutionalization are becoming more active, and integration with traditional finance is accelerating."

President Kim emphasized, "As services utilizing virtual assets expand and corporate participation becomes active, providing reliable information to investors is important," and added, "Given the regulatory uncertainty and volatility, balanced analysis and in-depth discussion are needed." He continued, "I hope this forum becomes a place where the government, businesses, and academia come together to find solutions," and added, "The Korea Economic Daily will continue to provide a platform for healthy policy discussions."