South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has detailed a phased roadmap for tokenizing securities, including stocks, bonds, and investment funds, with the initial phase slated to begin in February 2027. The plan also anticipates the eventual integration of a stablecoin-based payment system, though the timeline for later stages remains contingent on market adaptation and pending stablecoin legislation.
The FSC’s three-stage plan aims to integrate blockchain technology into the nation’s securities market. Phase one, commencing in February 2027, will encompass privately pooled funds, bonds for institutional investors, unlisted stocks held via trust structures, and publicly offered fractional investment securities. Revised rules under the Financial Services and Capital Markets Act (FSCMA) and the Electronic Registration Act are anticipated by the end of September to support this initial rollout.
Subsequent phases are designed to broaden the scope to all types of publicly offered securities. The more ambitious third phase targets the incorporation of an on-chain payment system linked to stablecoins. However, the FSC has stated that the progression of these later phases will depend on the success of the initial rollout, the market’s readiness to adopt tokenized securities, and the development of stablecoin legislation.
Model standards for fractional investments have been established by the FSC, capping individual subscriptions at the lesser of 30 million won (approximately $22,200) or 5% of an issuance, and requiring issuers to reserve a minimum retail allocation. Retail investors may be subject to an annual cap of 100 million won ($74,000) in net purchases per exchange.
Entities managing tokenized securities accounts will face new requirements, including a minimum equity of 4 billion won (about $2.9 million) and dedicated staff for account management, internal control, and IT security. Over-the-counter trading of tokenized securities will not necessitate a separate license, provided firms consult with the Financial Supervisory Service. The Korea Securities Depository is finalizing the technical checks required for securities firms to connect to the shared ledger.
Potential challenges associated with tokenization have been highlighted by international bodies. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned in an April note that tokenization could eliminate settlement delays crucial for bank liquidity management and regulatory intervention during crises. The IMF identified liquidity pressure, insufficient oversight of smart contracts, and difficulties in policing cross-border assets as primary risks, suggesting that public infrastructure like central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) could help mitigate these issues.
In a related regulatory action, South Korean authorities blocked domestic access to Polymarket in August, citing concerns over unlicensed gambling. This move aligns with global efforts to regulate digital asset platforms.
The FSC’s plan marks a significant step toward modernizing South Korea’s financial infrastructure. However, the full realization of its ambitions, particularly the stablecoin payment system, remains subject to regulatory developments and market adaptation.
Why This Matters
The materials describe a narrow update: The FSC has announced a three-phase plan to integrate blockchain technology into its securities market, starting with privately pooled funds, bonds for institutional investors, unlisted stocks, and fractional investment securities in February 2027. The pace of phases two and three of the tokenization plan.
Broader Context
Source materials place the factual news in this context: South Korea’s Financial Services Commission unveiled a phased roadmap on September 4 for converting stocks, bonds and investment funds into blockchain-based tokens, with the earliest phase due to start in February 2027 once an amendment to the Electronic Registration Act takes effect.
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