South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges are lobbying lawmakers to postpone the country's digital asset tax regime until 2029, according to industry observers. The request is an industry proposal, not an enacted policy change, and no legislative body has confirmed the new timeline.
The country has repeatedly revised its crypto tax schedule. It originally planned to tax digital asset gains in 2022, later deferred implementation to 2023, and has continued to push the deadline back. Exchanges argue that rushed compliance would create operational burdens, disadvantage domestic platforms compared with offshore rivals, and add friction that could further dampen retail participation.
South Korean politicians have shown sensitivity to crypto-voter sentiment ahead of elections, giving exchanges leverage. However, the regulatory backdrop remains mixed: the Financial Intelligence Unit has blocked access to 27 unregistered crypto exchange websites, and banks are revisiting rules that require exchanges to use a single banking partner.
The final decision rests with the National Assembly. A confirmed delay would extend tax ambiguity but give the industry years to build reporting infrastructure, while a rejection would start a hard compliance clock. For Bitcoin and other digital assets, the outcome matters mainly for local adoption and institutional engagement, not for protocol-level mechanics.
