The South Korean government officially included the development of blockchain technology and the digital asset market in its economic growth strategy for the second half of 2026. The plan calls for drafting a new digital asset law, launching tokenized government bond projects, expanding blockchain infrastructure, and providing state support for the industry.
Under the approved economic growth strategy for the second half of 2026, South Korean authorities identified blockchain technology and digital assets as tools for strengthening the country’s economic competitiveness. These measures were included in the section dedicated to new growth drivers alongside other emerging technologies.
The strategy was approved by the State Council of the Republic of Korea. In addition to digital asset initiatives, the document outlined a broad range of measures aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI), high tech industries, and overall economic growth. Notably, blockchain technology and digital assets were, for the first time, presented as standalone policy areas with specific legislative and infrastructure initiatives, as well as implementation timelines.
One of the strategy’s central priorities is accelerating the blockchain economy. During the second half of 2026, the South Korean government plans to prepare a comprehensive package of measures to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness. Priorities include launching large-scale pilot projects, expanding the blockchain and digital asset ecosystem, and supporting the development of advanced technologies. These objectives were also included in the official Action Plan, which designated the Ministry of Science and ICT as the responsible agency.
The strategy also includes a dedicated section focused on developing the digital asset market. Specifically, the government plans to:
- draft and introduce the Digital Asset Basic Act;
- establish a legal framework for stablecoin regulation, including their use in cross-border settlements;
- support legislative amendments required to launch spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) investing in digital assets;
- develop a blockchain-based framework for issuing, recording, and trading carbon credits in cooperation with international organizations.
The strategy also called for introducing tokenization into the government debt market. In 2027, the authorities plan to launch a pilot project for issuing tokenized government bonds using the Bank of Korea’s (BOK) wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC). At the same time, the government plans to assess interoperability between the CBDC infrastructure and other blockchain networks to enable seamless interaction.
In June 2025, the South Korean government launched a comprehensive reform of the cryptocurrency sector. The initiative included plans to introduce spot cryptocurrency ETFs and establish a regulatory framework for stablecoins.
