South Korea Eases Crypto Restrictions for Institutions and Charities in 2025

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.