Here’s the latest update on South Korea’s plan for a digital asset ETF:
Yahoo Finance
CCN.com
South Korea Plans Crypto ETFs in 2026
South Korea Prepares To Open the Door to Spot Bitcoin and Crypto ETFs | CCN.com
Yesterday
📊 What’s happening
South Korea has officially included plans to allow spot digital asset ETFs—starting with Bitcoin—in its 2026 Economic Growth Strategy. This marks a major policy shift toward integrating cryptocurrency investment products into the regulated financial market. �
HOKANEWS.COM +1
Previously banned because digital assets weren’t recognized as eligible underlying ETF assets, regulators now plan to amend laws (like the Capital Markets Act) to permit spot crypto ETFs. �
HOKANEWS.COM
Legislation discussions are scheduled in the National Assembly as early as February 2026 to enact the legal framework needed for listing such ETFs. �
Businesskorea
📈 Why this matters
Institutional access: Spot ETFs give pension funds, asset managers, and everyday investors a regulated way to gain Bitcoin exposure without holding crypto directly. �
HOKANEWS.COM
Retaining capital: South Korea hopes regulated products will reduce offshore investment flows that currently go to foreign crypto ETFs (such as in the US). �
CCN.com
Global alignment: This move follows similar approvals in the United States (2024) and Hong Kong (2025), aiming to modernize Korea’s financial markets. �
CCN.com
📌 Connected regulatory changes
Stablecoin rules are also being crafted and likely finalized in Q1 2026, including licensing, 100% reserves, and redemption rights—part of the broader digital asset framework that complements spot ETF approval. �
KuCoin
The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is leading the regulation push with accelerated legislation dubbed “Digital Asset Phase 2.” �
TodayOnChain.com
🗓 Expected timeline
Q1 2026: Stablecoin framework finalized and ETF legislative groundwork advanced. �
KuCoin
2026: Spot Bitcoin and other digital asset ETFs could be approved and listed, depending on legislative progress. �
HOKANEWS.COM
If you’d like, I can also summarize how this compares with ETF developments in the U.S. and Hong Kong, or explain what spot ETFs are and why they matter for crypto investors.
