FSC: 'Guidelines for Professional Investors' Participation in Virtual Assets to Be Established in the Second Half of the Year'

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is moving to overhaul the system to allow professional investors to participate in the virtual asset (cryptocurrency) market in the second half of the year. The plan also includes resolving institutional uncertainties related to foreign entities and spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

On the 18th, Kim Sung-jin, Director of the Virtual Assets Division at the Financial Services Commission, stated at the '2025 Summer Joint Academic Conference on Digital Assets' held at Bae, Kim & Lee LLC in Jung District, Seoul, "Since June, we have allowed participation by non-profit corporations. In the second half of the year, we plan to announce guidelines for expanding the scope of professional investors."

Director Kim explained, "During the initial design of the system, we only considered domestic entities, but there is no reason to discriminate in opening accounts for foreign entities that are registered as professional investors in Korea."

Regarding spot ETFs, he said, "Different regulatory logics apply to the domestic distribution of approved overseas products and the establishment and operation managed domestically," and added, "We are considering various scenarios, including phased approval."

Director Kim also noted, "Until two to three years ago, countries focused mainly on user protection, but recently the focus has shifted to industrial innovation and resolving regulatory uncertainty," and added, "It is now time for Korea to align its regulations with those of Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States, the European Union (EU), etc., and to seek directions that benefit Korea’s national interests."