Bank of Korea Expands Virtual Asset Investment Options

Bank of Korea Governor Lee Chang-yong announced at the Asian Financial Forum that South Korea allows residents to invest in foreign virtual assets amid market pressures.

This move could reshape South Korea’s crypto landscape, signaling potential regulatory shifts and financial opportunities, particularly through won-denominated stablecoins and tokenized deposits.

South Korea Embraces Foreign Virtual Asset Investments

At the Asian Financial Forum, Governor Lee Chang-yong revealed that South Korea will permit domestic residents to invest in foreign-issued virtual assets amid increasing market demands. This marks a significant shift in the nation’s virtual asset policies, particularly as regulators explore a new registration framework to enable domestic issuance.

The authorities aim to enhance the virtual asset landscape by facilitating investments and creating infrastructure for token issuance. While this move could promote innovation within the country, it simultaneously fuels debates over the potential risks associated with stablecoins. Governor Lee Chang-yong emphasized, “We are allowing South Korean residents to invest in overseas-issued virtual assets due to market pressure, while studying a registration system for domestic institutions to issue virtual assets.” This illustrates the complexities involved in regulating virtual assets domestically.

BingX offers exclusive rewards and top-tier security for new and high-volume crypto traders.

Governor Lee emphasized stablecoin risks while noting their potential use in circumventing capital controls. The discourse suggests heightened regulatory vigilance amid these developments as market participants navigate the evolving landscape.

Bitcoin’s Market Dynamics and Future Projections

Did you know? Stablecoins have been controversial due to their ability to impact traditional financial systems and possibly bypass regulatory measures in a way that traditional currencies cannot.

As of January 27, 2026, Bitcoin (BTC) trades at $88,374.16 with a market cap of $1.77 trillion. It represents 59.04% of market dominance and displays varied price changes, including a 0.91% rise in the last 24 hours and a 21.75% drop since 90 days ago, according to CoinMarketCap.

The Coincu research team projects that the push for a more comprehensive virtual asset infrastructure could introduce intricate regulatory frameworks and spur technological innovation, potentially altering both financial markets and technological landscapes. Lee Chang-yong’s focus on won-denominated stablecoins and tokenized deposits reinforces the need for vigilant oversight.