As the U.S. accelerated the inclusion of staking, token securities (STO), and on-chain asset managem..

South Korean lawmakers and industry experts recently convened at a seminar in Yeouido to advocate for an urgent overhaul of the nation's digital asset regulatory framework. The discussion highlighted that while the U.S. has successfully integrated tokenized securities, staking, and on-chain asset management into its financial system, Korea remains behind, leaving domestic investors without adequate legal protections. Experts cited global institutional milestones, such as BlackRock’s BUIDL fund, Franklin Templeton’s BENJI, and JPMorgan’s on-chain vault initiatives, as evidence of a global shift toward blockchain-based financial infrastructure. Lawmakers Min Byung-duk and Ahn Do-gul announced plans to legislate a Framework Act on Digital Assets by the end of this year to facilitate the adoption of virtual asset spot ETFs and tokenized securities. The proposed legislation aims to address the current lack of institutional clarity, which prevents domestic financial institutions from competing with global peers. By establishing clear disclosure, custody, and asset management standards, proponents argue that Korea can mitigate on-chain risks while fostering innovation. This legislative push is critical for Korea to remain competitive as the global market for digital asset ETPs has already surpassed $180 billion in operating assets.