New Regulatory Policies Imminent, South Korean Crypto Exchanges Face Major Shakeup in Control
South Korea's Financial Services Commission (FSC) is proposing a major regulatory change that would impose a 15% to 20% cap on major shareholders' stakes in domestic cryptocurrency exchanges. The move, part of the "Virtual Asset Second Phase Legislation," aims to redefine major platforms like Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, and Korbit as core "virtual asset infrastructure," subjecting them to stricter oversight.
The FSC highlights two key issues in current exchange governance: excessive power concentration in founders or major shareholders, and disproportionate profit distribution to individuals. The proposed cap mirrors rules for traditional financial Alternative Trading Systems (ATS) and would force significant ownership restructuring.
Upbit’s major shareholder holds 25.5%, Bithumb Holdings owns 73%, Coinone’s chairman holds 54%, and Korbit is majority-owned by NXC and affiliates. Compliance would require substantial divestment, potentially altering control and strategic direction.
The proposal aims to institutionalize the crypto market, reduce systemic risk, and possibly pave the way for traditional financial institutions to enter. Critics argue it may stifle innovation, violate property rights, and cause management instability, potentially driving businesses to more crypto-friendly jurisdictions like Singapore or Dubai. The outcome could reshape Korea’s crypto industry, balancing financial stability with growth.
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