The Korea Exchange (KOSDAQ) in South Korea is considering the approval of crypto spot ETFs in 2025. This news was revealed by KOSDAQ Chairman Jeong Eun-bo at the 2025 Securities and Derivatives Market Opening Ceremony, as reported by The Fact. Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Kim Byung-hwan also attended the event, expressing hopes that companies will be allowed to launch security token offerings (STOs) in the same year.
The discussions follow a turbulent end to 2024 in South Korea, marked by President Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law, which destabilized the already sluggish KOSDAQ. This situation led many shareholders to sell off their holdings, with concerns of a stock market exodus looming. Kim emphasized the need to attract foreign and domestic investors back to the market in 2025.
Jeong highlighted the necessity for the stock market to explore new business opportunities, such as crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs), by benchmarking overseas cases and venturing into new territories within the capital market.
Meanwhile, Kim provided hope for South Korean companies awaiting approval to issue security tokens, a change promised in Yoon’s election manifesto but yet to be fulfilled. Traditional financial companies and tech firms are eager to launch STOs and have developed platforms in anticipation of upcoming approval. Despite setbacks from last year’s political troubles, the FSC appears ready to advance STO institutionalization, aiming to diversify the securities issuance and distribution system.
The FSC chief called for collaboration between lawmakers, the ruling People’s Power Party, and corporate investors to make 2025 a turning point for the market, aiming to bring back overseas and South Korean investors who had exited.
In another statement, Jeong stressed the need to remove obstacles to adoption and advocated for the institutionalization of crypto in South Korea.
Recent developments from South Korea indicate an active interest in crypto and financial market reforms. #Crypto #SouthKorea #Finance #ETFs #STO