MAROKO133 Update crypto: Korea’s Financial Regulator Weighs Ownership Caps for Crypto Exch

📌 MAROKO133 Hot crypto: Korea’s Financial Regulator Weighs Ownership Caps for Cryp

South Korea’s top financial regulator is pressing ahead with plans to limit the ownership stakes of major shareholders in domestic crypto exchanges, signaling a tougher approach to governance as the industry’s role in the financial system expands.

Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Lee Eog-weon said Wednesday that imposing ownership caps is necessary to bring governance standards in line with the growing public importance of virtual asset exchanges, according to a report by the Korea Times.

His remarks suggest the regulator intends to move forward despite pushback from industry players and concerns raised within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.

Korea Regulator Reviews 15–20% Ownership Cap for Crypto Exchanges

The FSC is reviewing a proposal to cap controlling shareholders’ stakes at around 15% to 20%, per the report.

The provision is expected to be included in the planned Digital Asset Basic Act, often described as the second phase of South Korea’s virtual asset legislation.

Lee said existing laws, including those governing anti-money laundering and investor protection, are limited in scope and do not address broader governance issues.

The new bill, by contrast, is designed to establish a comprehensive legal framework covering the full digital asset ecosystem, from service providers to market participants.

“Under the current system, virtual asset exchanges operate under a notification system that requires renewal every three years,” Lee said at a media briefing.

“The proposed shift to an authorization system would effectively grant exchanges permanent operating status.”

Once licensed under such a system, exchanges would no longer be treated purely as private businesses, Lee added, but would take on characteristics closer to public financial infrastructure.

He warned that excessive concentration of ownership could heighten conflicts of interest and weaken market integrity.

“Securities exchanges and alternative trading systems are already subject to ownership limits, making it reasonable to apply similar standards to virtual asset platforms,” Lee said.

Korean Crypto Exchanges Push Back Against Proposed Ownership Caps

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the industry.

A joint council representing major domestic exchanges, including Upbit, Bithumb and Coinone, said earlier that ownership caps could undermine the development of South Korea’s digital asset sector.

At Dunamu, the operator of Upbit, Chair Song Chi-hyung and related parties control more than 28% of the company. Coinone founder Cha Myung-hoon holds roughly 53%.

If the proposed cap is enacted, both would be required to divest significant portions of their stakes.

The ruling party has also voiced reservations, arguing that similar ownership limits are rare internationally and could leave South Korea out of step with global regulatory trends.

Lee acknowledged the concerns and said discussions with lawmakers are ongoing.

Last month, South Korea revealed that it is preparing one of its most aggressive crackdowns on cryptocurrency-related financial crime by expanding its travel rule requirements.

The new threshold covers transactions under 1 million won ($680), which until now allowed users to bypass identity checks by breaking transfers into smaller amounts.

The post Korea’s Financial Regulator Weighs Ownership Caps for Crypto Exchanges appeared first on Cryptonews.

🔗 Sumber: cryptonews.com

📌 MAROKO133 Breaking crypto: US Shutdown Odds at 75% — How Hard Will Bitcoin Be Hi

The US federal government is heading toward a partial shutdown, putting bitcoin markets on alert. However, unlike last year’s 43-day full shutdown, the smaller scale of this potential closure suggests price impact may be contained.

With six of twelve spending bills already passed and historical data showing 60% of shutdown crises end in last-minute deals, markets appear to be pricing in a limited disruption scenario.

Shutdown Odds at 75% with $13.3 Million Wagered

According to the prediction market platform Polymarket, the probability of a shutdown on January 31 is 75% in the Asian morning hours. Total betting volume has exceeded $13.3 million. The impasse stems from Democrats’ opposition to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, “I will vote no on any legislation that funds ICE until it is reined in and overhauled.” If no agreement is reached by midnight on January 30, some federal agencies will cease operations.

Partial Shutdown: A Different Scenario from Last Year

This potential shutdown differs significantly from the one in October 2025. Back then, all 12 appropriations bills were blocked, triggering a record 43-day full government shutdown. This time, six spending bills have already been signed into law.

According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Commerce, and Energy have secured full fiscal-year funding. DHS also holds approximately $178 billion from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed last year. This allows the agency to continue operations largely uninterrupted.

A pseudonymous market analyst known as “CryptoOracle,” who correctly predicted last October’s shutdown days before it began, had warned that a full shutdown would send shockwaves through both traditional and digital markets. “The shutdown will break liquidity first, then fix it later,” he wrote at the time. “Expect a 30–40% Bitcoin correction — and then the rally of the decade.” His downside target was $65,000–$75,000, a zone he called the “fear range.”

However, CryptoOracle’s prediction was based on the full shutdown scenario from last October. A partial shutdown may not drain liquidity from markets as much as a full shutdown.

During last October’s full shutdown, the Treasury General Account swelled to $1 trillion. This drained approximately $700 billion in liquidity from markets. BitMEX analysts described it as “starving risk assets of capital.”

This time, half of the appropriations bills are already signed into law. DHS also holds $178 billion in reserve funding. The TGA buildup — and the resulting liquidity squeeze — would be significantly smaller.

Last-Minute Deal Remains Possible

Historically, shutdown crises have often been resolved at the eleventh hour. According to analyst SGX on X, between 2013 and 2023, only three of five shutdown crises actually materialized — a 60% rate of last-minute deals.

SGX outlined several reasons why this shutdown might be averted: Republicans could separate DHS funding and pass remaining bills with a 60-vote threshold; some Democrats are privately willing to compromise if the harshest border provisions are removed; and a one-week shutdown costs the economy $4–6 billion with 2–3% market drops — political liability neither party wants.

“Historical pattern + economic pressure + exit plans from both sides = likely deal by Jan 31 via DHS compromise,” SGX wrote. “But it’s theater. No guarantees.”

Bitcoin Holds Steady Despite Uncertainty

Bitcoin spot ETFs recorded $1.33 billion in net outflows for the week ending January 23. However, analysts attribute this to multiple factors, including the Federal Reserve rate decision and Big Tech earnings, rather than shutdown fears alone.

Bitcoin is currently trading at $89,177 at press time, up 0.9% over the past 24 hours. The price remains approximately 29% below its October all-time high of $126,000.

The post US Shutdown Odds at 75% — How Hard Will Bitcoin Be Hit? appeared first on BeInCrypto.

🔗 Sumber: www.beincrypto.com