South Korea Urged to Introduce Cryptocurrency Exchange-Traded Funds to Remain Competitive

According to the chairman of the Korea Exchange (KRX), Jung Eun-bo, South Korea should introduce cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to stay competitive in global finance. In a recent interview, Jung emphasized that with South Korea being the “third-largest real cryptocurrency trading country,” delaying crypto ETFs could leave it trailing behind global markets that are already moving ahead.

Competition from Global Markets

The chairman pointed to the United States, where both futures and spot Bitcoin ETFs are “available and actively traded,” as an example of how other markets are embracing the shift. Jung added that crypto ETFs could bring fresh opportunities to the country’s financial sector.

Cryptocurrency represents a sector capable of generating new value in the financial industry […] We must not delay the introduction of cryptocurrency ETF trading.

Crypto ETF Landscape Expanding

As of February 2025, the U.S. market boasts a total of 20 cryptocurrency exchange-traded products, encompassing both spot and futures-based offerings. This includes:

  • 12 spot Bitcoin ETFs
  • 8 Bitcoin strategy ETFs
  • 9 spot Ethereum ETFs

Beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, the crypto ETF landscape is expanding to include other digital assets. Asset managers have filed applications for ETFs targeting cryptocurrencies like Solana, XRP, and even meme coins like Dogecoin.

Benefits of Crypto ETFs

Jung believes that embracing cryptocurrency ETFs could enrich the market by offering investors a safer and more regulated way to access digital assets. According to him, introducing crypto ETFs aligns with his goal of modernizing the financial landscape in the country.

Regulatory Considerations

Jung also weighed in on regulations, warning that excessive legislation could stifle innovation in the market. He also pushed for easing restrictions on pension fund investments in equities, arguing that overly strict limits on high-risk assets could hurt long-term returns.

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