South Korea to allow corporates to invest in Crypto by 2026

South Korea is moving toward allowing listed companies and professional investors to gain regulated exposure to cryptocurrencies, as the Financial Services Commission (FSC) prepares to finalize a new investment framework by early next year.

According to a Jan. 12 report by Seoul Economic Daily, the FSC has drafted guidelines that would allow eligible corporations to invest in crypto by the end of 2026, following a phased implementation period expected to begin after final approval in February.

Under the proposed rules, companies could allocate up to 5% of their equity capital annually to digital assets. Investments would be limited to the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization listed on South Korea’s five major exchanges, a measure aimed at reducing volatility and financial risk.

The framework marks a shift from South Korea’s traditionally conservative approach to institutional crypto participation, aligning with global trends toward regulated adoption. While the policy could boost liquidity, market maturity, and compliance standards, regulators remain cautious, emphasizing strong risk management and accounting practices before full implementation.