Skip to content

South Korea to Monitor Cross-Border Crypto Transactions

South Korea will tighten crypto transaction rules to curb forex crimes, requiring firms to register and report data for better monitoring by 2025

Table of Contents

South Korea is planning to strengthen its regulations on cross-border crypto transactions to combat foreign exchange crimes.

Speaking at a recent G20 meeting, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok announced plans that require companies handling international stablecoin and cryptocurrency transactions to pre-register with authorities and report monthly transaction data to the Bank of Korea.

Choi said this data will be shared with South Korean tax, customs, financial, and international regulatory bodies to detect illegal activities like arbitrage and money laundering.

The Korea Customs Service estimates that nearly 88% of foreign exchange crimes, totaling around KRW 1.65 trillion ($1.2 billion) involve cryptocurrencies.

Adjusting to these requirements, the government will amend the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, which will define "virtual assets" and "virtual asset business operators" as a separate category by mid-2025.

South Korea's new reporting and monitoring system will launch in the second half of next year.

Last month, South Korea's financial watchdog, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), initiated a comprehensive inspection of cryptocurrency exchanges to ensure compliance with stricter regulations introduced in July.

The FSS aimed to identify suspicious transactions and verify that exchanges are adhering to rules designed to protect virtual asset investors and maintain proper transaction records.

The regulator stated that it will "establish market order through stern punishment against illegal activities" and is prepared to revise regulations as needed.

South Korea Intensifies Scrutiny of Crypto Industry Amid New Regulations
The inspections aim to detect illegal activities and protect investors. Several exchanges are under scrutiny, and the FSS has warned that more may face investigation.

Earlier this month, cryptocurrency was declared as a legally divisible asset in divorce proceedings. South Korean law firm IPG Legal clarified the law, stating that both tangible and intangible assets, including crypto, can be divided during a divorce.

Citing Article 839-2 of the Korean Civil Act, IPG Legal explained, “Either spouse may request a division of marital assets accumulated during the marriage upon the divorce in Korea.”

South Korea Recognises Crypto as a Divisible Asset in Divorce Cases
Couples in South Korea can now opt to cash out or split their crypto during divorce proceedings

Latest