According to ChainCatcher, local media reports indicate that South Korea's Financial Services Commission (FSC) has finalized guidelines allowing listed companies and professional investors to trade cryptocurrencies, ending a nine-year ban on corporate crypto investments.
Eligible companies can invest up to 5% of their equity annually in the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization on South 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 won in funds.
While welcoming the policy shift, industry insiders criticize the 5% cap as overly conservative. The US, Japan, Hong Kong, and the EU do not impose such restrictions on corporate holdings of crypto assets. Critics warn that this could prevent South Korea from establishing a digital asset treasury company similar to Japan's Metaplanet.
The FSC plans to release final guidance in January or February, with business transactions expected to begin before the end of the year.
