- South Korea may approve Bitcoin ETFs if Japan does, per regulatory reports. The FSS monitors Japan’s crypto ETF discussions.
- Japan plans virtual asset rules by late 2025, with a legislative vote on Bitcoin ETFs by 2026.
- U.S. Bitcoin ETFs hold $100B; Hong Kong’s ETFs manage $354M. Bitcoin rose to $100K post-approvals.
South Korea may approve Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) if Japan moves forward with similar products, according to a March 2025 report by South Korea’s Maeil Business Newspaper. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) of South Korea has monitored Japan’s regulatory discussions on virtual assets, including its openness to crypto ETFs.
Japan aims to finalize virtual asset regulations by late 2025, with legislative proposals expected in the latter half of the year. A national assembly vote on rules permitting Bitcoin ETFs could occur by 2026.
South Korean officials have cited Japan’s cautious timeline as a factor in their own deliberations. In February 2025, Kim So Young, Vice Chairman of South Korea’s FSS, stated that Bitcoin ETF proposals would be reviewed carefully, noting that countries like Japan and the U.K. have not yet approved such funds.
The U.S. approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2024, which now hold $100 billion in assets. Bitcoin’s price rose from $40,000 to over $100,000 during this period, partly due to stock market integration and a surge in investor activity, including the so-called “Trump trade.” These ETFs allow individuals to trade Bitcoin through traditional stock platforms, reducing reliance on crypto exchanges.
Source: SosoValue
Hong Kong authorized Bitcoin ETFs in April 2024, with current assets totaling $354 million. ETHNews analysts view this as part of a broader regional shift toward accepting cryptocurrency investment vehicles. A 2025 report by State Street predicts crypto ETF assets could surpass those of precious metals ETFs by the end of the year.
BlackRock’s head of digital asset research, Robert Mitchnick, suggested that U.S. fiscal challenges and adoption by governments as a reserve asset might push Bitcoin’s value higher, though prolonged high interest rates could slow growth.
Continuing with reports from South Korea, the decision on Bitcoin ETFs remains uncertain, but approval could expand access to digital assets for regional investors. Observers note that Japan’s regulatory steps will likely influence South Korea’s timeline, as Asian markets increasingly explore crypto investment options.
