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South Korea vs Singapore

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | South Korea | Singapore
South Korea

South Korea

Singapore

Singapore

Legal
Legal

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.

Singapore is a leading global crypto hub with a comprehensive regulatory framework under the Payment Services Act (PSA) 2019, amended in 2022. MAS licenses Digital Payment Token (DPT) service providers for AML/KYC compliance and consumer protection. Singapore has no capital gains tax, making it attractive for crypto businesses and investors. However, MAS has progressively tightened retail investor protections, restricting crypto advertising and requiring risk warnings. Short term trading gains is considered income and taxed as such.

Tax Type Varies
Tax Type Varies
Tax Rate 20%
Tax Rate 0%-24%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator FSC (Financial Services Commission), FSS, FIU (Korea Financial Intelligence Unit)
Regulator MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore)
Stablecoin Rules Under development; stablecoins subject to VASP rules
Stablecoin Rules MAS-regulated stablecoin framework (2023); SG-dollar stablecoins must meet reserve and disclosure requirements
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)
Key Points
  • Payment Services Act (PSA) 2019 provides licensing for Digital Payment Token (DPT) services
  • MAS issues Major Payment Institution (MPI) and Standard Payment Institution (SPI) licenses for crypto
  • No capital gains tax on crypto for individuals; trading profits may be taxed if deemed business income
  • MAS introduced stablecoin regulatory framework in August 2023 for SG$-pegged stablecoins
  • Strict retail investor protection: crypto advertising restricted, no incentives for trading
Sources
Sources