South Korea Moves to Treat Crypto as National Wealth Under New Law

South Korea plans to include crypto under a new National Asset Basic Act, a sweeping law that will modernize how the state manages roughly 1,400 trillion won in assets.

The reform, the first in 76 years, treats digital assets as long-term national wealth rather than a risk.

The National Asset Basic Act Redefines State Wealth

The National Asset Basic Act is a proposed South Korean law that expands the definition of state assets to include cryptocurrencies, virtual assets, and intellectual property.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance unveiled the plan on July 15 during a policy briefing in Seoul. The announcement formed part of the government’s economic strategy for the second half of 2026.

The legislation will replace a management system anchored in the State Property Act of 1950. That framework focused almost entirely on real estate and preservation, leaving no room for emerging asset classes. Officials described the current rules as outdated for a modern digital economy.

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Countries are taking crypto seriously, the global shift toward digital assets is no longer a prediction, it’s happening. From regulation to adoption, governments worldwide are building the foundation for the next era of finance.☑️ South Korea to include crypto under planned… pic.twitter.com/aCOpR8sSa6

— Lucky (@LLuciano_BTC) July 15, 2026

The scale involved is enormous. The law will govern about 1,400 trillion won in state holdings, equivalent to nearly $940 billion. According to the ministry, the new model prioritizes value creation over simple custody of public property.

The government also plans to tokenize state-owned real estate through security tokens, allowing citizens to invest and share returns. A pilot for tokenized government bonds linked to the Bank of Korea’s CBDC infrastructure is scheduled for 2027.

What Does the Law Mean for Korea’s Crypto Market

The proposal marks a philosophical shift. Previous crypto rules in the country concentrated on investor protection and exchange oversight.

Recognizing digital assets as national property integrates them into the country’s long-term financial infrastructure rather than treating them as pure speculation.

The context amplifies the signal. South Korea handles an estimated 15% to 20% of global crypto trading volume, with more than 18 million local participants. Few governments manage a retail base of that size anywhere in the world.

According to CoinGecko data, average monthly trading volume in KRW fell by 21.7% from Q4 2025 (125.2 trillion won) to Q1 2026 (98.1 trillion won). This doesn’t mean capital is leaving the market; it’s simply rotating. Funds are shifting away from retail speculation and toward institutional settlement infrastructure.

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The measure also arrives within a broader digital agenda. Authorities are advancing the Digital Asset Basic Act, which will set rules for won-pegged stablecoins, and reviewing Capital Markets Act amendments to enable the first spot crypto ETFs.

A legal basis for cross-border stablecoin transactions is also in the works, easing international payments with digital assets.

Implementation details remain pending, including how the state would acquire, custody, or value its future digital holdings over time.

Still, the direction seems clear. One of the world’s most active crypto markets now wants its government balance sheet to speak the same language.