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South Korea Moves to Ban Stablecoin Interest, Assign Issuance to Banks

The FSC set a year-end timetable for a phase-two crypto law to keep payment tokens distinct from bank deposits.

Overview

  • FSC Chairman Lee Eok-Won said interest on KRW-pegged stablecoins will be blocked in any form, aligning with the U.S. GENIUS Act.
  • Banks would lead issuance under the proposal, fintech firms would act only as technology partners, and crypto exchanges would be prohibited from issuing their own stablecoins.
  • The regulator plans to file the second phase of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act this year, with enforcement rules prepared in advance for swift implementation.
  • Officials said they are in the final stages of coordination and are reviewing safeguards while exploring payment, remittance, and cross-border settlement uses.
  • Policymakers are watching for loopholes highlighted in U.S. debates, including exchange-offered rewards that could undermine an issuer-level interest ban.