Asia is playing an increasingly significant role in global crypto markets, with the highest growth rate among all regions and a 30% share of global stablecoin trading activity in 2025, according to an Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report.
Japan announced plans last week for a national blockchain settlement system for stocks and government bonds, which it aims to roll out by the early 2030s. Singapore finalized its stablecoin licensing framework this week.
The first phase of Korea’s roadmap kicks off in February 2027, with the Electronic Registration Act, a law for money market funds and bonds for institutional investors, unlisted stocks through trust structures, and publicly offered fractional investment securities.
The second leg of the plan opens tokenization to all publicly offered securities. And the third and final part establishes onchain payment infrastructure linked to stablecoins, though timing for phases two and three depends on phase one results, technological adoption by market participants, and pending stablecoin legislation.
Individual subscriptions are capped at the lower of 30 million won ($22,000) and 5% of the total issuance volume, according to the FSC’s statement. Annual net purchases on over-the-counter (OTC) exchanges are limited to about $74,000.
Existing licensed financial firms will be able to handle tokenized securities within their current licenses. Issuers managing their own securities accounts must hold at least $3 million in equity capital and meet specific IT and cybersecurity standards.