Restrictions are expected to be lifted. South Korea is considering allowing financial institutions to hold equity in crypto companies.

Odaily Planet Daily News: Kim Seong-jin, head of the Virtual Asset Division at the Korean Financial Services Commission, stated at a parliamentary meeting that the government is simultaneously advancing stablecoin-related legislation, namely the second phase of the Digital Asset Basic Act, and institutional investor entry. The Financial Services Commission has promised to complete digital asset legislation within the year. If institutional entry is realized, the ban on financial companies holding equity in crypto companies, which has been in place for nine years, is expected to be lifted this year. Financial institutions such as banks and securities firms will be able to participate in virtual asset investments. Kim Seong-jin also said that they are studying the introduction of mechanisms for institutional brokers and over-the-counter (OTC) trading intermediaries in the virtual asset market, similar to those in the stock market. At the same time, referencing the practices of the EU, they are looking to simplify the entry requirements for financial institutions entering the virtual asset industry in areas with similar business functions.