Crypto Becomes a Game-Changer in South Korea's Presidential Election

As South Korea prepares to elect its next president on June 3, 2025, cryptocurrency has unexpectedly become one of the defining issues of the campaign. With nearly a third of the population actively involved in crypto trading, the digital asset sector is now a powerful political force—one both candidates are eager to win over.

The Crypto Vote Matters Now More Than Ever

Following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, two frontrunners have emerged: Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and Kim Moon-soo from the conservative People Power Party. Both are promising major reforms to solidify South Korea’s position as a global crypto powerhouse.

Why the urgency? South Korea is home to around 16 million crypto traders, with digital asset holdings worth over $74 billion. At times, trading volumes have even surpassed those of the country’s stock market. But recent regulatory tightening has cooled the market, prompting both candidates to propose bold changes.

Reform Promises That Could Shake Up the Market

Lee Jae-myung leads the polls and has unveiled an aggressive crypto-friendly agenda:

Legalizing spot crypto ETFs
Allowing the $884B National Pension Fund to invest in digital assets
Supporting Korean-won backed stablecoins
Easing capital controls on crypto

His opponent, Kim Moon-soo, also supports deregulation, aiming to remove barriers that restrict innovation and investor access. Both candidates are committed to legalizing crypto ETFs—a milestone that would open the gates for institutional capital.

What’s Next?

The election comes just as South Korea plans to launch institutional crypto trading and explore stablecoin infrastructure. The country’s regulatory stance could pivot sharply, depending on who wins.

For investors, the outcome may define whether South Korea accelerates its leadership in Web3 or falls behind more crypto-progressive jurisdictions. Eyes are now on Seoul—not just for politics, but for market signals.