South Korea FSC Considers 15%–20% Ownership Limits for Major Crypto Exchange Shareholders

On Wednesday, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon said South Korea's top regulator is advancing plans to limit major shareholders' stakes in domestic crypto exchanges to roughly 15%–20%. The proposed caps would be written into the forthcoming Digital Asset Basic Act as part of a shift from a notification regime to an authorization system that treats exchanges more like public financial infrastructure. Leading Korean platforms and some ruling party members oppose the plan, warning it could force founders to sell large holdings and diverge from global norms, while officials argue the rules are needed to reduce ownership concentration and strengthen governance.