South Korea has made a dramatic move that’s shaking up the global cryptocurrency landscape: after nine years of restrictions, the country’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has officially lifted its ban on corporate crypto investments. This landmark decision, announced on January 12, 2026, allows approximately 3,500 publicly listed companies to invest up to 5% of their equity in the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. For a nation that once stood as a cautionary tale of regulatory clampdowns, this pivot signals a new era—and it’s already sending ripples through the markets.
The ban, first imposed in 2017, was born out of concerns over wild price swings and fears of money laundering. Back then, only individual investors could trade cryptocurrencies, and businesses were left on the sidelines. The policy aimed to shield the domestic economy from what many saw as the unpredictable and risky world of digital assets. But, as it turns out, capital is a restless beast. According to Coinfomania, more than $50 billion flowed out of South Korea over the years as companies sought opportunities on foreign trading platforms. The government’s new approach is designed to reverse that trend, bringing home both capital and confidence in the domestic crypto market.
Under the new rules, eligible companies and licensed investment firms can allocate up to 5% of their annual equity to cryptocurrencies. But there are guardrails: investments are restricted to the 20 largest digital assets by market cap, and all trading must be conducted on five major regulated South Korean exchanges, including household names like Upbit and Bithumb. The government is still weighing whether to include dollar-backed stablecoins such as USDT in the mix, signaling that the regulatory framework is still evolving.
To prevent market shocks and excessive speculation, the FSC will also set limits on order sizes and require that large transactions be executed in stages. The idea, officials say, is to avoid sudden price swings and ensure the crypto market doesn’t become a source of systemic risk. Final guidelines are expected to be published in the coming weeks, with corporate trading operations likely to begin later in 2026.
This policy shift is more than just a regulatory tweak—it’s a pillar of South Korea’s broader economic growth strategy looking toward 2026. The government’s vision includes accelerating crypto legislation, considering the approval of Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and exploring tokenized treasury systems. The ambition? To transform South Korea into a leader in digital finance across Asia. As the government told Coinfomania, “The country is ready to move forward in the field of cryptocurrencies, and the government is finally allowing companies to participate.”
The crypto industry, predictably, has welcomed the news with open arms. Many see this as a long-awaited turning point that could inject fresh capital into the market and reduce reliance on overseas exchanges. Bitcoin is widely expected to be the primary beneficiary, but Ethereum and a handful of other top-tier assets could also see increased institutional interest. Still, not everyone is cheering. Some industry experts argue that the 5% cap is too conservative, especially when compared to the looser restrictions in the United States, Japan, and the European Union. Critics warn that South Korea could miss out on nurturing homegrown crypto powerhouses like Metaplanet or the American firm MicroStrategy, both of which have made headlines for their aggressive digital asset strategies.
There’s also the matter of banks. Despite the new flexibility for listed companies, South Korean regulators continue to prohibit banks from investing in cryptocurrencies. This stance could slow progress toward the introduction of Bitcoin spot ETFs and broader institutional adoption. For now, the government appears to be taking a cautious, phased approach—testing the waters before diving in headfirst.
Meanwhile, the global crypto market is abuzz with another pressing concern: the rising price of Bitcoin itself. As of January 12, 2026, Bitcoin was trading at roughly $91,276, according to CoinGecko, with only a minuscule 0.05% movement over the previous 24 hours. While that sounds like stability, the price level is historically high, and it’s sparking a fresh debate about accessibility and the future of retail investment.
CryptoManiac, a well-known analyst active on X, recently sounded the alarm: buying a full Bitcoin is becoming an ever more distant dream for the average investor. “This range could represent a window that is closing,” he warned, pointing not just to the current price, but to the expectation that future bull cycles could push Bitcoin even higher. Even if the market sees a correction of 30% or 40%, the resulting price would still be out of reach for most. The analyst recommends fractional accumulation strategies, such as Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA), as a practical alternative for those looking to gain exposure without breaking the bank.
The scarcity factor is central to this debate. With Bitcoin’s supply capped at 21 million coins—and between 3 and 4 million of those estimated to be lost or out of circulation, according to the Blockchain Council—the available pool is shrinking. Institutional giants like BlackRock and Fidelity have only intensified this squeeze by channeling capital into Bitcoin ETFs, soaking up more of the already limited supply. As one Reddit user put it, “Owning 1 BTC is impressive, but the longer the time horizon, the better. I even think that 0.1 and 0.01 BTC will become highly sought after, simply because of the limited supply and the weakening of the world’s reserve currency.”
For many in the crypto community, the psychological and economic barriers to owning a full Bitcoin are rising with each cycle. The consensus among analysts is that accessibility to whole units will continue to diminish, leaving fractional ownership as the dominant route for most investors. CryptoWhale, another prominent voice, captured the sentiment: “1 BTC will always be 1 BTC. Bitcoin is a once-in-a-lifetime invention. You were born early enough to act accordingly. Very few people understand the following. In a few decades or less, it will be impossible for the average person to accumulate 0.50 BTC, let alone 1. Accumulate quietly.”
Despite the cyclical nature of crypto markets, the structural forces of price, scarcity, and institutional demand seem poised to make owning a full Bitcoin a badge of honor—and a rare one at that. For South Korea, the hope is that opening the doors to corporate investment will help repatriate capital, strengthen the domestic crypto market, and keep the nation at the forefront of digital finance. The world will be watching as the final guidelines roll out and the first wave of corporate crypto trades hits the books later this year.
As the regulatory landscape shifts and the market’s psychological thresholds evolve, one thing is clear: South Korea’s bold policy reversal and Bitcoin’s relentless march upward are setting the stage for a new chapter in the global crypto story—one defined by opportunity, competition, and, above all, scarcity.
