KRW 5 billion, 100%, 15% to 20%, and 10%. Each of the four figures governs a separate area: issuance thresholds, reserves, exchange shareholdings, and penalties. They are scattered across different sections of the draft Digital Asset Basic Act, so readers have to piece together which provisions go together. $XAU
For stablecoin issuers, the minimum paid-in capital is KRW 5 billion, equivalent to about $3.5 million. Reserves must be at least 100%, held in bank deposits or government bonds and kept off the issuer’s own balance sheet. Holders can redeem at face value, and interest payments are prohibited under any pretext.
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The sticking point is who qualifies to issue. The Bank of Korea insists that banks take the lead initially, with banks holding more than 50% plus one share in any issuing consortium, citing the need to safeguard monetary policy, foreign exchange management, and prevent misuse. The Financial Services Commission worries that overly strict thresholds could shut out innovation. A compromise proposal is circulating: several banks form a consortium to retain a majority stake, while fintech companies hold 34% and control management. Others argue the licensing criteria should focus on risk management, not who the shareholders are.
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Exchanges face a separate yardstick. Major shareholders’ stakes are proposed to be capped at 15% to 20%, referencing the 15% limit for alternative trading systems under the Capital Markets Act. The shift from a reporting system to a licensing system changes their status, so governance structures would change too. A 1-to-2-year grace period is proposed, with no penalties for divestments made in accordance with the rules during that time. Others argue the limit should apply only to voting rights, saying forced share sales raise constitutional concerns. Neither the cap nor the transition period has been put on paper yet. Security provisions, by contrast, have already been set in stone. Operators would be liable for damages regardless of fault in the event of a hack or computer incident, with penalties set at 10% of revenue. At least 80% of customer assets must be held in cold wallets, though the industry is already above 95%. Of 28 registered service providers, only 5 are members of the Financial Security Institute, and inspection standards will not be updated until year-end. Operators are classified into 8 risk categories: high-risk operators require full authorization, while the rest undergo simplified registration. They receive permanent authorization, with no annual renewal required. Which provisions make it into the final text will depend on negotiations clause by clause. Personal opinion, not investment advice; gains and losses are your own responsibility. South Korea’s Digital Asset Basic Act is expected to be finalized in early January