- South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has announced plans to lift the 2017 ban on corporate cryptocurrency trading, allowing institutions to enter the market
- Non-profit organizations, including universities and charities, have also been permitted to sell crypto donations starting in the first half of 2025
- Regulatory changes aim to align South Korea with global trends, ensuring transparency and security in the growing digital asset sector
In a major shift in policy, South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has taken steps to ease cryptocurrency restrictions by allowing both non-profit organizations and corporations to engage in crypto transactions. Non-profits will be able to sell digital donations from the first half of 2025, while businesses and professional investors will be granted access to crypto trading later in the year. The move signals South Korea’s intent to integrate blockchain technology into its financial system while maintaining regulatory safeguards.
Non-Profits Gain the Right to Sell Crypto Donations
For years, South Korean charities and universities have received digital asset donations but have been unable to convert them into fiat currency due to strict financial regulations. The FSC has now reversed this policy, allowing non-profits to legally sell their cryptocurrency holdings. This change is expected to improve the financial stability of these organizations and encourage further crypto-based philanthropy.
An FSC spokesperson stated, “With digital donations becoming more common, it is necessary to provide legal pathways for institutions to utilize these assets effectively.”
Corporations Can Re-Enter the Crypto Market
Beyond non-profits, South Korea’s regulatory framework is set to welcome corporate participation in the crypto industry for the first time since 2017. The FSC has announced that starting in the second half of 2025, listed companies and professional investors will be able to trade digital assets alongside individuals. “We are seeing increasing demand from businesses to engage in blockchain-based services,” the FSC noted, highlighting how global trends are influencing domestic policy shifts.
While these changes reflect a pro-crypto stance, the FSC has made it clear that strict regulations will accompany the new policies. The government plans to enforce higher transparency standards, minimum liquidity requirements, and safeguards against market manipulation. Experts believe these measures will help South Korea strike a balance between innovation and investor protection.
By easing restrictions on cryptocurrency use, South Korea is taking a step toward mainstream crypto adoption, opening new opportunities for both institutional and philanthropic engagement in the digital economy.
