South Korean Exchanges Vow To Protect Altcoin Trading Amid New Regulations, Here’s All

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As a researcher with extensive experience in the crypto space, I am closely monitoring the developments in South Korea’s cryptocurrency market. With its vibrant altcoin trading scene and significant influence on global digital asset markets, South Korea is an essential player in the crypto world. The upcoming Virtual Asset User Protection law, set to take effect on July 19, has sparked widespread discussion about its potential impact on digital asset trading in the country.

South Korea’s cryptocurrency market is gearing up for major adjustments with the upcoming implementation of new investor protection laws. Known for its lively altcoin trading scene, the country will enforce the Virtual Asset User Protection Act on July 19. The impending regulation has ignited intense debate within the crypto community regarding its potential effects on digital asset transactions.

South Korea ranks high in the international cryptocurrency scene, with the Korean won now outpacing the US dollar as the preferred currency for crypto transactions. Around 10% of the South Korean population has invested in digital assets. The majority of trades involve smaller coins instead of the market frontrunner, Bitcoin.

Exchanges’ Response to New Regulations

In anticipation of new regulations, South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges are taking initiatory actions. The Digital Asset Exchange Alliance, a representative organization for the industry, has disclosed intentions to examine approximately 1,333 alternative coins during the next six months. This assessment is intended to guarantee conformity with the impending Virtual Asset User Protection law and counters fears that these regulations could curb trading activity in lesser digital assets too swiftly.

As a researcher, I’ve gathered information from the alliance and they’ve shared that mass delistings occurring immediately are an unlikely scenario. Instead, they plan to evaluate each token listing carefully in light of the new law once it’s enacted. This deliberate approach implies a phased implementation of regulations, rather than a sudden market shift.

The enactment of the latest legislation was significantly influenced by the crash of Luna and TerraUSD tokens in 2022, valued at over $40 billion, which were developed by entrepreneur Do Kwon based in South Korea. Although the primary objective is to safeguard investors, this measure could potentially impose higher operational expenses on crypto trading platforms like Upbit, a leading global exchange. This situation underscores the constant challenge of striking a balance between investor protection and nurturing South Korea’s vibrant altcoin trading scene.

Legal Developments in the Korean Crypto Space

In a notable shift, the Seoul High Court has reversed an earlier judgment in a contentious case involving the Fantom Foundation, a prominent blockchain organization. The court has dismissed all allegations brought forth by SikSin and Ahn against Fantom, thereby overturning a previous verdict that granted the plaintiffs approximately 198 million FTM tokens.

The legal dispute revolved around arrangements for incorporating Fantom’s technology into South Korea’s food industry. The High Court ruled that SikSin and Ahn breached their contractual commitments, specifically by neglecting to integrate the technology and prepare a robust technical document for the Lachesis Protocol. Additionally, the court highlighted instances of plagiarism in the defendants’ submissions.

Michael Kong, CEO of Fantom, expressed approval towards the recent court decision. Meanwhile, Fantom’s legal team emphasized the intricacy of the case. This judgment is predicted to influence how disputes pertaining to blockchain are resolved within South Korea’s judicial system, significantly impacting cross-industry applications and intellectual property matters. It serves as a benchmark for future cases in the rapidly developing intersection between traditional industries and blockchain technology.

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2024-07-02 08:25