- President Lee Jae-myung promotes pro-crypto policies in South Korea.
- Bipartisan support for integrating digital assets into finance.
- Potential legal issues may affect governance stability.
Lee Jae-myung became South Korea’s president on June 3, 2025, promising pro-crypto reforms in an evolving financial landscape.
The election of a crypto-supportive president signals significant policy changes, potentially impacting global markets and regulatory practices.
Lee Jae-myung’s administration marks a shift towards integrating digital assets into traditional finance. With a reputation for supporting financial reforms, Lee aims to create a regulatory landscape favorable for cryptocurrencies. This shift indicates broad bipartisan support for digital innovation.
South Korea plans to allow its $884 billion National Pension Fund to involve crypto investments, with potential institutional capital inflows expected. President Lee’s policies may include spot Bitcoin ETFs and KRW-backed stablecoins, aiming to transform the nation’s financial infrastructure. “Our administration is committed to legalizing spot Bitcoin ETFs and launching a KRW-backed stablecoin, marking a new era for digital assets in our financial system.”
The crypto community anticipates regulatory clarity, fostering high confidence among Korea’s 18 million crypto users. However, legal challenges exist as Lee faces an ongoing retrial for election-related violations, potentially impacting governance.
Local ETFs and pension investments could lower capital barriers, increasing trading volumes and integration of assets like BTC and ETH into financial products. This move reflects a trend toward official support for cryptocurrencies globally, following similar initiatives in Western countries.
