SOUTH KOREA
South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is located on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. It is known for its advanced technology, bustling cities like Seoul, rich cultural heritage, and a robust economy driven by industries such as electronics, automotive, and shipbuilding. The country is a democratic republic with a president as head of state. South Korea's education system is highly competitive, and its cuisine, like kimchi and bulgogi, has global recognition. The country also has a strong entertainment industry, known for K-pop and Korean drama. The demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating South Korea from North Korea remains a significant geopolitical focus.
South Korean Funeral Firm Faces $33M Loss on Leveraged Ether ETF
Bumo Sarang, a South Korean funeral company, faces a $33M unrealized loss from a leveraged Ether ETF, exposing risks in its nontraditional asset allocation.
KB Financial’s Stablecoin Pilot Cuts Fees by 87%, Eyes Expansion
KB Financial's stablecoin pilot slashes fees by 87% vs SWIFT, tests offline payments. Launch depends on South Korea's pending crypto regulations.
South Korea FSC Reviews Hana Bank’s $668M Dunamu Stake Plan
South Korea’s FSC is scrutinizing Hana Bank's acquisition of a Dunamu stake, citing potential conflict with banking-commerce separation rules.
South Korea to Unveil Tokenized Securities Rules in July
South Korea's FSC will release detailed tokenized securities regulations in July, paving the way for a regulated blockchain-based capital market by 2027.
OKX Eyes Coinone Stake as South Korea’s Crypto Market Heats Up
OKX may acquire a 20% stake in Coinone, entering South Korea’s high-stakes crypto market amid growing competition from global and local players.
South Korea Crypto Market Drops 50% as Stocks Surge
South Korea's crypto holdings plunged 50% in a year, with trading volumes collapsing as investors pivot to stocks and regulators tighten oversight.
Samsung SDS to Build Tokenized Securities Platform for KSD
Samsung SDS secures contract to develop a blockchain platform for Korea Securities Depository, aligning with South Korea's upcoming tokenized securities regulations in 2027.
South Korea's Crypto Exchanges Resist Tightened AML Rules
South Korea's crypto industry warns proposed AML rules could overwhelm exchanges, increasing reports by 85x and complicating compliance.
Kbank Tests Ripple Wallet for South Korea Remittances
Kbank partners with Ripple to trial blockchain-based remittances amid South Korea's evolving stablecoin regulatory framework.
Google DeepMind Partners with South Korea for AI Campus
DeepMind teams up with Korea's MSIT to launch an AI Campus focused on scientific breakthroughs, AI safety, and talent development.
South Korea Deploys AI to Track Crypto Taxes Ahead of 2027 Rollout
South Korea's tax agency launches AI-backed crypto monitoring system to enforce upcoming 22% tax on gains, set to take effect in 2027.
Naver-Dunamu $10B Deal Sets 5-Year IPO Timeline for Upbit Parent
Naver and Dunamu's corrected filing reveals IPO committee formation within one year, targeting fintech listing within five years as Upbit parent joins Naver Financial.
South Korea Tests Tokenized Deposits for Government Spending in Q4 2026 Pilot
South Korea's finance ministry will pilot blockchain-based tokenized deposits for government operational expenses in Sejong City, targeting 25% treasury digitization by 2030.
Ripple Partners Korean Insurance Giant Kyobo for Tokenized Bond Settlement
Ripple and Kyobo Life Insurance launch Korea's first blockchain-based government bond settlement pilot as Seoul prepares new tokenized securities framework for 2027.
Coinone Hit With $3.5M Fine, 3-Month Suspension Over AML Failures
South Korea's FIU orders partial business suspension against Coinone for 70,000 unverified accounts and transactions with 16 unregistered foreign exchanges.