- South Korea plans a stablecoin law covering issuance, disclosures, and cross-border use.
- A 2027 pilot will test tokenized government bonds linked to an institutional CBDC.
- AI, semiconductors, and data centers remain central to Seoul’s 800 trillion won plan.
South Korea is restoring blockchain to its economic policy agenda, although artificial intelligence remains the government’s leading growth priority for late 2026. The renewed strategy combines stablecoin regulation, tokenized government bonds, cryptocurrency ETFs, and blockchain-based carbon markets within a broader technology investment program.
The Ministry of Finance and Economy included digital assets and tokenization in its second-half strategy as Seoul raised its 2026 growth forecast. Besides, officials lifted the projection from 2% to 3%, citing an AI-driven semiconductor boom and stronger demand for advanced computing infrastructure.
Stablecoin Rules Anchor the Blockchain Revival
According to reports, the government plans to pursue a Digital Asset Framework Act during the second half of 2026. The legislation would mark the next phase of South Korea’s digital-asset regulation.
It would build on the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which took effect in July 2024. That law introduced custody standards, deposit safeguards, market surveillance, and penalties for unfair trading.
The proposed framework would go further by classifying digital-asset businesses and regulating token issuance, distribution, disclosures, and market conduct. It would also establish specific rules for Korean won-pegged stablecoins.
In addition, authorities plan to create a legal foundation for cross-border stablecoin transactions. Proposed revisions to the Capital Markets Act would also support the launch of South Korea’s first spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds.
Beyond private markets, blockchain could enter public finance through a government bond tokenization pilot linked to an institutional central bank digital currency project. The pilot is scheduled for 2027.
As part of that effort, the Bank of Korea will examine how its CBDC infrastructure could operate across other blockchain networks. Officials also plan to test blockchain-based management of voluntary carbon credits.
AI Mega Projects Dominate South Korea’s Growth Strategy
Despite the blockchain push, artificial intelligence dominates South Korea’s development strategy. The government identified physical AI, AI data centers, and semiconductors as three national ‘Mega Projects.’
Under the program, South Korea plans to direct 800 trillion won, or about $535.6 billion, toward semiconductor fabrication facilities in the southwest.
The project would create a second manufacturing base alongside existing plants in the capital region. As capacity expands, officials expect national memory chip production to double within five years.
At the same time, South Korea plans to develop large-scale AI data centers and establish a global AI hub. The initiative is designed to attract international organizations and multilateral development banks.
Overall, the strategy places blockchain within regulated financial infrastructure while directing greater industrial investment toward AI. Even so, both sectors remain central to South Korea’s broader digital economy plans.
Related: South Korea Supreme Court Sets New Rules for Crypto Asset Seizures
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