Crypto Incentives Dominate South Korean Election Battle

Major political parties in South Korea are vying for crypto-savvy voters ahead of the country's upcoming parliamentary elections. The opposition Democratic Party pledges to lift restrictions on domestic and foreign exchange-traded funds (ETFs) holding crypto tokens, while President Yoon Suk Yeol's People Power Party promises to delay digital asset gains taxes.

South Korea's Political Parties Engage in Cryptocurrency Incentives Battle Ahead of Parliamentary Elections

As South Korea approaches its parliamentary elections, the country's major political parties are vying for voters' support by offering generous incentives tied to cryptocurrency. The opposition Democratic Party, sensing an opportunity to tap into the growing crypto-enthusiastic electorate, has unveiled plans to remove barriers to domestic and global exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that include crypto tokens. This move would directly challenge the stance of South Korea's securities regulator, which expressed concerns over the potential violation of domestic guidelines following the approval of Bitcoin ETFs in the United States in January.

"We will make it possible for ETFs, regardless of whether they are domestic or overseas," declared Hwanseok Choi of the Democratic Party, referencing the group's manifesto.

Not to be outdone, President Yoon Suk Yeol's People Power Party has also thrown its hat into the crypto ring, promising to delay taxes on digital asset gains, which are currently scheduled to take effect in 2025.

The political enthusiasm for cryptocurrencies reflects the growing popularity of digital assets in South Korea. According to government statistics, nearly six million South Koreans traded cryptocurrencies through registered exchanges in the first half of 2023, representing a significant 10% of the nation's population. Notably, a substantial 7% of election candidates have disclosed ownership of cryptocurrencies.

In a related development, Crypto.com, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, is expanding its operations in South Korea despite increased regulatory scrutiny. Data from Korea Securities Depository indicates that crypto investors have poured approximately $200 million into shares of US-listed MicroStrategy (MRST), a company with significant exposure to Bitcoin, leading some analysts to label it as "basically a leveraged Bitcoin ETF."

Despite the political promises, South Koreans remain cautious about the potential for tighter cryptocurrency regulations. Regional financial authorities are preparing to introduce new guidelines for token listings on centralized exchanges in the coming weeks. According to local media reports, domestic exchanges may be prohibited from listing digital assets that have been affected by hacking incidents until their root causes are determined. Additionally, foreign digital assets may only be listed on domestic exchanges if a white paper or technical manual is available for local investors.

Furthermore, South Korea's impending Digital Asset Consumer Protection Act aims to prevent the use of "undisclosed material information" about cryptocurrencies, curb market manipulation, and combat illegal trading. The crypto law is slated to come into effect on July 19, 2024. In February, the government released an update to the Act, imposing substantial fines and criminal penalties for violations, including fixed-term imprisonment sentences of over one calendar year or fines of three to five times the amount of illicit profits.

While the outcome of South Korea's parliamentary elections remains uncertain, the political parties' embrace of cryptocurrencies serves as a testament to the growing importance of digital assets in the country. As the regulatory landscape evolves and voters cast their ballots, it remains to be seen whether promises of crypto-friendly policies will translate into electoral success.