South Korea plans to explore crypto ETFs and let firms launch security tokens in 2025

Chairman of the South Korea Exchange, Jeong Eun-bo, said the exchange wants to ‘explore’ crypto spot ETF approval in 2025. The country’s FSC also wants to allow companies to launch security token offerings.

According to South Korean media outlet The Fact, Jeong spoke at the the Securities and Derivatives Market Opening Ceremony 2025 about wanting to explore cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds approval.

In his speech, he explained how the political crisis in South Korea tipped the slowing exchange into a pit of chaos after President Yoon Suk-yeol’s unsuccessful attempt to declare martial law. Weary traders and investors were quick to sell their holdings in what appeared to be a mass exodus from the stock markets.

In the aftermath of this turmoil, the Chairman believes the nation should explore new business sectors, starting with alternative assets in the form of crypto ETFs.

“We will benchmark overseas cases for new businesses such as cryptocurrency ETFs and explore new areas in the capital market,” said Jeong, adding that he also intends to keep promoting South Korea’s corporate value-up program, which aids investors in analyzing their company’s performance to enhance value.

By exploring new business avenues such as crypto ETFs, Jeong hopes it will be attractive enough to bring back foreign and domestic investors who left the market.

In addition, Financial Services Commission Chairman Kim Byung-hwan also spoke at the ceremony. He expressed an eagerness to allow companies to launch security token offerings in 2025. Companies in South Korea have been waiting for years to receive the green light to issue STOs.

He explained the agency intends to establish measures to improve the IPO system and strengthen listing-delisting procedures for companies looking to launch their own security tokens. The agency aims to ensure public offering prices remain rational.

“We will institutionalize STOs, fragmented investment platforms, and stock platforms to diversify the securities issuance and distribution system to boost corporate growth collective investment tools,” said Kim.

Based on these statements, the Korean exchange and the FSC are eager to pursue advancements in crypto regulations to legitimize the sector. As previously reported by crypto.news, the South Korea Exchange Chairman urged lawmakers to act fast to institutionalize the crypto industry or risk falling behind other countries.

Unfortunately, lawmakers have decided to set aside crypto-related regulations, putting them “on hold” until the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol is completed. At the time of writing, the Seoul court issued a warrant for Yoon’s arrest after he failed to show up three times for questioning. However, the arrest has been called off due to security blocking the path to Yoon’s estate.