South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) is easing restrictions on cryptocurrency by allowing institutions to engage more with digital assets.
Starting in the second half of 2025, organizations like charities and universities will be able to sell crypto donations, a shift from the past, where institutional accounts on exchanges were prohibited.
As part of a pilot program, 3,500 corporations and professional investors will be allowed to open real-name accounts early in 2025. This is a step toward broader institutional crypto involvement, which has been limited since 2017 due to concerns over speculation and money laundering.
The FSC also plans to enable exchanges to sell their holdings, with new guidelines to prevent market manipulation. Concerns about volatility and “pump and dump” schemes after token listings are being addressed through stricter listing standards and potential minimum supply requirements for new cryptocurrencies.
Additionally, the FSC has outlined a roadmap for corporate crypto participation, with larger corporations allowed to enter the market gradually, while smaller ones undergo closer scrutiny. These moves indicate South Korea’s evolving stance on digital assets, aiming to balance growth and regulation.
Turkey is preparing to roll out a series of strict crypto regulations aimed at curbing financial crimes tied to illegal gambling and online fraud, according to new comments from Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek.
Japan is preparing to dramatically reshape its cryptocurrency regulations, with officials drafting a proposal that would reclassify digital assets and streamline their tax treatment.
In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Federal Reserve has quietly removed reputational risk as a factor in evaluating banks, a move that could make it easier for financial institutions to offer cryptocurrency services without fear of regulatory backlash.
Europe is emerging as the new global crypto hub, propelled by its MiCA regulatory framework, which is attracting investors and platforms alike.