Catenaa, Friday, June 20, 2025- South Korea’s top financial regulator has submitted a formal roadmap to approve spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds, paving the way for the country’s first regulated crypto ETF listings by late 2025.
The move marks a major policy reversal and aligns with President Lee Jae Myung’s crypto-friendly agenda.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) submitted the plan to the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning.
The roadmap includes measures for lifting the current ban on crypto ETFs and outlines groundwork to introduce stablecoins backed by the Korean won.
The FSC had previously blocked crypto ETF issuance, citing financial instability and concerns over digital assets as a base for financial products. However, under the new administration, the regulator has signaled openness to integrating crypto into South Korea’s formal financial system.
President Lee has argued for the development of a domestic stablecoin market to reduce capital outflows and support younger investors. The crypto ETF and stablecoin approval process is seen as part of a broader strategy to modernize the country’s financial sector and deepen capital market access for retail investors.
In parallel, the FSC is reviewing plans to extend Korea Exchange trading hours and expand institutional crypto access. At the end of 2024, South Koreans reportedly held over $75 billion in digital assets, underscoring the country’s position as one of the largest retail crypto markets globally.
