15% Equity Threshold: Governance Revolution and Capital Reshuffle in Korean Exchanges
South Korea's Financial Services Commission (FSC) has proposed a major governance overhaul for major cryptocurrency exchanges as part of its "Virtual Asset Second Phase Legislation." The plan would classify large platforms like Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, and Korbit as "core infrastructure" and impose a strict cap on major shareholders' stakes, limiting them to between 15% and 20%.
This move targets two key issues: excessive power concentration in the hands of founders or major shareholders, and the disproportionate privatization of substantial trading fee revenues. The proposal aligns exchange governance with traditional financial standards, similar to rules for Alternative Trading Systems (ATS) under the Capital Markets Act.
If implemented, the four leading exchanges would face significant ownership restructuring. For instance, Upbit’s major shareholder holds 25.5%, Bithumb Holdings owns 73%, Coinone’s chairman controls 54%, and NXC holds around 60.5% of Korbit. Each would need to divest substantial stakes.
The initiative aims to institutionalize the crypto market, reduce systemic risk, and potentially open doors for traditional financial institutions to enter. However, critics argue it may stifle innovation, violate property rights, cause management instability, and drive businesses to more crypto-friendly jurisdictions like Singapore or Dubai.
The proposal reflects a broader effort to balance financial stability with industry growth, marking a pivotal moment in South Korea’s crypto regulatory landscape.
marsbit12/31 09:51
