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Japan vs South Korea

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Japan | South Korea
Japan

Japan

South Korea

South Korea

Legal
Legal

Japan is one of the world's most comprehensively regulated crypto markets. The Payment Services Act and Financial Instruments and Exchange Act govern crypto exchanges and tokens. Japan classifies crypto as "crypto-assets" and taxes gains as miscellaneous income at rates up to 55%, though reforms to lower this rate are under active discussion.

South Korea is one of the world's largest crypto markets. The Virtual Asset Users Protection Act (VAUPA), effective July 2024, provides comprehensive investor protection including requirements for exchanges to hold user assets in cold storage and carry insurance. All VASPs must register with FIU and comply with strict AML rules under the Specific Financial Information Act. A 20% crypto gains tax (above KRW 2.5 million exemption, raised from the original 250K KRW threshold) has been deferred multiple times and is now scheduled for January 2027.

Tax Type Income
Tax Type Varies
Tax Rate 15-55%
Tax Rate 20%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator FSA (Financial Services Agency), JVCEA
Regulator FSC (Financial Services Commission), FSS, FIU (Korea Financial Intelligence Unit)
Stablecoin Rules 2022 stablecoin law requires issuers to be licensed banks, trust companies, or fund transfer agents
Stablecoin Rules Under development; stablecoins subject to VASP rules
Key Points
  • Crypto exchanges must register with the FSA under the Payment Services Act
  • Crypto gains taxed as miscellaneous income at up to 55% (national + local tax)
  • Japan's self-regulatory body JVCEA sets industry standards for exchanges
  • 2022 stablecoin legislation (revised Payment Services Act) regulates stablecoin issuance
  • Government considering tax reform to apply a flat 20% separate taxation on crypto gains
Key Points
  • Virtual Asset Users Protection Act (VAUPA) effective July 2024 — major investor protection law
  • VASPs must register with FIU and partner with real-name verified bank accounts
  • 20% national tax (22% effective incl. 2% local income surtax) above KRW 2.5M annual exemption (deferred to January 2027)
  • Exchanges must hold 80%+ of user assets in cold wallets and carry insurance/reserves
  • Only won-denominated trading pairs allowed on major exchanges (Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit)
Sources
Sources