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The financial authorities of the Republic of Korea are close to finalizing rules that will officially allow public companies and professional investors to include digital assets in their portfolios for the first time. However, preliminary data indicates that stablecoins pegged to the dollar, such as USDT and USDC, will not be included in the list of permitted instruments. This initiative is part of the preparation of the "Guidelines for Corporate Cryptocurrency Trading" under the auspices of the Financial Services Authority (FSC).

The key reason for the possible ban of stablecoins for the corporate sector lies in the current Law on Foreign Exchange Transactions. According to its provisions, all international payments must be made through authorized banks using official currencies. Stablecoins pegged to the US dollar are not considered legal tender for cross-border settlements. Their use by companies could create a legal conflict: formal permission to invest in USDT and USDC would actually allow businesses to bypass the banking system in international trade operations. Therefore, at an early stage of the development of the corporate crypto market, FSC plans to exclude stablecoins from assets available for direct ownership by legal entities.

At the same time, the National Assembly of South Korea has been considering a bill since October 2025 designed to give stablecoins the official status of a means of payment. The document is at the stage of committee hearings, and its adoption may take several more months or even years. In the meantime, the business community has to put up with the current time constraints.

Large South Korean companies, especially those that are actively involved in international trade, have repeatedly appealed to the regulator to legalize the use of USDT and USDC. In their opinion, stablecoins significantly speed up and reduce the cost of settlements with foreign partners, as well as provide an opportunity to hedge currency risks by focusing on real-time market rates.

It is important to note that even after the new rules come into force, stablecoins will not completely disappear from circulation in South Korea. Companies and their employees will still be able to purchase USDT and USDC through over-the-counter (OTC) platforms using personal crypto wallets (for example, MetaMask) or foreign trading platforms. However, such transactions will take place outside the official corporate accounting and will not be able to be used for direct settlements with counterparties on behalf of the company.

Despite the obvious advantages for businesses, the regulator chooses a cautious approach, prioritizing control and stability. This means that companies will have to adapt to operating with limited access to the digital dollar until lawmakers bring the legal framework in line with technological realities.