South Korea Fortifies Crypto Regulation with Sweeping Exchange Guidelines

South Korea will soon enforce stricter cryptocurrency regulations, particularly targeting centralized exchanges. The new guidelines will impose stringent listing criteria, barring assets with hacking histories and requiring foreign projects to provide Korean-specific documentation. Exchanges may face delisting obligations for non-compliant projects and foreign tokens listed on regulated exchanges for over two years may be exempt from certain provisions. The implementation timeline, expected in the coming months, will mandate exchanges to prepare for the enhanced regulations.

South Korea Fortifies Crypto Regulation with Extensive Exchange Guidelines

In a significant move aimed at bolstering the cryptocurrency industry's stability and investor protection, South Korea is poised to implement comprehensive regulations targeting centralized crypto exchanges. These new guidelines, currently in the final stages of development, are set to profoundly shape the landscape of digital asset trading in the country.

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), South Korea's primary financial regulator, has been diligently crafting these guidelines since the latter half of 2022. The FSS has actively sought input from the Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA) to ensure the regulations align with industry best practices and stakeholder concerns.

The impending guidelines will impose stringent criteria for the listing of crypto assets on domestic exchanges. Centralized exchanges will be required to carefully scrutinize the history of potential listings, particularly those with a track record of hacking incidents. Only crypto assets from projects that can adequately explain previous security breaches or demonstrate full recovery from any damages incurred will be eligible for listing.

Foreign crypto projects seeking to list their tokens on South Korean exchanges may face additional requirements. Under the guidelines, the FSS may mandate the publication of tailored whitepapers or technical manuals that cater specifically to the Korean market. However, tokens listed on reputable overseas exchanges for an extended period, typically two years or more, may be exempt from these provisions.

The FSS is also determined to enhance transparency and accountability within the crypto exchange ecosystem. The new guidelines will empower the regulator to mandate the delisting of cryptocurrencies associated with projects that fail to meet disclosure obligations. Such obligations include providing accurate information regarding the circulation supply of listed tokens.

An FSS official, quoted in the local media report, confirmed that the contents of the listing guidelines are nearing finalization. However, the precise timeline for their implementation remains uncertain. The official urged crypto exchanges to be prepared for the implementation of the guidelines within the next few weeks, potentially as early as the end of February.

Industry participants are closely monitoring the进展 of these regulations, as they will have a significant impact on the operations and offerings of centralized crypto exchanges in South Korea. The guidelines are expected to promote a more robust and investor-friendly crypto market, while also ensuring that exchanges adhere to high standards of due diligence and transparency.