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that, according to data submitted by the Bank of Korea to the National Assembly, the total value of crypto assets held by South Korean investors fell from 121.8 trillion won (approximately $83.3 billion) at the end of January 2025 to 60.6 trillion won (approximately $41.4 billion) at the end of February 2026, a decline of over 50% within a year. During the same period, the average daily trading volume on South Korea's top five exchanges—Upbit, Bithumb, Korbit, Coinone, and Gopax—dropped from $11.6 billion in December 2024 to $3 billion in February this year. The total Korean won deposits on these exchanges also decreased from 10.7 trillion won to 7.8 trillion won, reflecting that some funds are flowing into the South Korean stock market.However, stablecoin holdings have remained relatively resilient. Data shows that South Korean stablecoin holdings peaked at $597 million in December 2024 before falling to $41 million in February this year, a decline significantly smaller than that of the broader crypto market.Additionally, South Korean regulators plan to implement stricter anti-money laundering rules in August, which will automatically flag as suspicious any transactions involving overseas exchanges or private wallets exceeding 10 million won. The Digital Asset Exchange Alliance (DAXA) has warned that this measure could drive users toward offshore platforms such as Binance.Meanwhile, the South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance recently confirmed for the first time that a 22% tax rate on crypto gains will officially take effect on January 1, 2027. (Cointelegraph)
Odaily reports, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stated at the Consensus conference that cryptocurrency market structure legislation will not receive a floor vote unless it includes an ethics clause. Gillibrand pointed out that it is necessary to prohibit members of Congress, senior government officials, and the President and Vice President from using their insider positions to profit in the crypto industry. Currently, multiple Democratic senators have expressed concerns about President Trump and his family's crypto connections. Bloomberg estimates that Trump has already profited at least $1.4 billion through crypto ventures. The bill had previously stalled in the Senate over issues related to stablecoin reward handling. While a compromise has now been reached, the ethics clause has become a new obstacle. Gillibrand stated that she is working with the White House and both parties to ensure the clause is included, and is also pushing for the addition of consumer protection and anti-terrorism financing provisions. The bill is expected to pass before the August recess.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Digital Asset Exchange Alliance (DAXA) submitted its official comments on the draft Enforcement Decree of the Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information (“Special Financial Information Act”) to the National Participation Legislative Center of the Ministry of Government Legislation on April 29. The comments reflect the collective views of 27 Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), including the five major exchanges Upbit and Bithumb. DAXA raised objections to two core provisions in the draft revision: First, the proposal to categorize all virtual asset transactions exceeding KRW 10 million as suspicious transactions—mandating compulsory reporting to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This change is projected to increase the annual number of suspicious transaction reports filed by the five major exchanges from 63,000 to 5.445 million, an 85-fold surge. Second, the draft introduces a new obligation to verify the accuracy of customer information, going beyond existing customer identification requirements—and exceeding the scope of authority granted under the higher-level law. Moreover, penalties for noncompliance are significantly harsher than those applied to other financial sectors. While DAXA supports the legislative intent behind the revision—to strengthen the anti-money laundering (AML) framework—it contends that certain provisions overstep the statutory delegation of authority and impose discriminatory treatment on the virtual asset industry. The draft revision’s public consultation period ends on May 11, with formal adoption expected in July. The relevant provisions will be implemented in phases between August 2026 and 2027.
with the revision of the Clarity Act expected to move forward in May, the crypto industry is closely watching its legislative window before the August congressional recess. Ji Kim, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, stated that the Senate has limited time remaining, and the industry hopes to get the bill to President Trump's desk for signature before August.However, after accounting for recess periods and other legislative agendas, the Senate effectively has only about 9 to 10 working weeks left to advance the bill. Currently, the bill still needs to first pass through the Senate Banking Committee, with disagreements over stablecoin yield and rewards remaining key obstacles.