Per the newspaper Chungnyun Ilbo, experts say that US dollar-based stablecoins could have an impact on exchange rates and fiat currencies.

Stablecoin Danger for South Korean Economy?

The comments came at a digital assets-themed meeting of the Korea Economic Association at the FKI Tower Conference Center in Yeouido, Seoul, on May 19.

An expert panel expressed concerns about the possible proliferation of dollar-based stablecoins in South Korea.

The panel argued that stablecoin usage would reduce the volume of won-based payments made by both individuals and corporations in South Korea.

It also claimed that the central Bank of Korea (BOK) could suffer as a result. The BOK, experts said, could lose the ability to manage money supplies or intervene in the foreign exchange markets.

The BOK has made similar statements in recent days, in response to stablecoin-related manifesto pledges from the leading presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung.

KRW Stablecoin on Political Agenda

Lee Jae-myung has pledged to launch a KRW-pegged stablecoin if he is elected President on June 3. Members of his party, the Democratic Party, have also argued that financial regulators – and not the BOK – should have the final say on stablecoin issuance.

But others want to use existing stablecoins in their adoption drives. They claim that failing to adopt is hampering Seoul’s tech competitiveness.

These advocates favor allowing South Korean firms and payments companies to work with high-cap stablecoins like USDT and USDC.

However, Lee Seung-seok, a senior researcher at the Korea Economic Research Institute, warned:

“If dollar-based stablecoins become established as a means of payment in South Korea, this could bring about structural changes in the won/dollar exchange rate determination mechanism. Exchange rates could soar due to a drop in KRW demand and an increase in demand for foreign currency.”

The researcher added that dollar-based stablecoins allow for rapid capital mobility. He added that their decentralized nature “could result in large-scale capital outflows in the event of a crisis.”

Kim Hyo-bong, a former Financial Supervisory Service official, said that Washington and Brussels were both likely to launch stablecoin legislation in 2025. Kim said:

“South Korea should also make sure it acts in line with global trends.”

Kang Tae-soo, a visiting professor at the KAIST Graduate School of Finance and a BOK Monetary Policy Committee member, said that stablecoins offer firms advantages in the payment and settlement spaces.

But Kang concurred that stablecoins were difficult to control. He said they could sow uncertainty in the monetary and foreign exchange policy sectors.

The academic argued that the BOK and the government needed to ensure adoption drives “minimize side effects and maximize advantages.”

However, others warned against the dangers of over-regulation. Namgung Joo-hyun, an Associate Professor of Commercial Law at Sungkyunkwan University, said that the “global digital asset paradigm is rapidly changing.” He said:

“We must take steps to ensure South Korea does not end up isolated due to excessive regulations. We need to establish a financial framework that provides both international consistency and industrial competitiveness.”

A War of Words

Meanwhile, the presidential candidates’ stablecoin war of words continues. During the first televised debate between the four leading candidates for the June 3 poll, Lee Jae-myung reiterated his commitment to launching a KRW-pegged coin.

But EToday reported that Lee Jun-seok, of the rival Reform Party, challenged the frontrunner on the matter.

Lee Jae-myung refuted Lee Jun-seok’s challenge, claiming that “stablecoins based on fiat won collateral are stable.”

However, Lee Jun-seok claimed that there were “no use cases” for any sort of stablecoins that use a peg other than the USD.

He continued, explaining that USDC and USDT, combined, “account for 90% of the stablecoin market.” Lee Jun-seok asked the frontrunner what measures he would take “to prevent the illegal circulation of stablecoin funds, such as remittances to North Korea.”

The post South Korean Experts Warn Seoul of Mounting ‘Stablecoin Danger’ appeared first on Cryptonews.

May 1st, 2025 – Seoul, Republic of Korea

Global Bitcoin leaders, listed companies, and innovators will gather in Seoul on June 4–6 for Bitcoin Seoul 2025 — Asia’s flagship event shaping Bitcoin’s future.

Bitcoin Seoul 2025, Asia’s largest Bitcoin-focused conference, will take place from June 4 to 6, 2025, at two of Seoul’s most iconic venues: Signiel Seoul and SKY31 Convention.

Following its successful debut in 2024, Bitcoin Seoul quickly established itself as a key fixture in the global Bitcoin conference circuit.

The inaugural event featured leading Bitcoin thinkers such as Saifedean Ammous and Jimmy Song, and attracted thousands of industry professionals and community members to Seoul to exchange insights on Bitcoin’s evolution and future.

Building on this momentum, the 2025 edition promises an expanded scale and a deeper examination of Bitcoin’s global trajectory. 

More than just a conference, Bitcoin Seoul 2025 will feature a multidimensional program spanning Bitcoin strategy, regulation, finance, policy, and real-world adoption.

Amid the growing trend of publicly listed companies in Asia and Europe adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset, executives who have led these initiatives—including from MetaPlanet and The Blockchain Group—will be participating in the event to share first-hand experiences from the corporate frontlines.

Additionally, Dennis Porter, who spearheaded the Bitcoin strategic reserve movement in the United States, will offer insights into Bitcoin’s expanding adoption at the corporate and governmental levels.

Highlighting real-world adoption

El Salvador’s Mi Primer Bitcoin and Bitcoin Beach—trailblazers in national Bitcoin integration—will lead a special session titled “El Salvador Bitcoin Adoption Showcase.”

The event will also welcome Bitcoin community leaders from around the world, including the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Indonesia, who will share firsthand experiences of community-driven Bitcoin adoption across different continents and regions.

The 2025 program will feature: 

• Bitcoin Policy Summit: Seoul Edition — Insights into regulatory trends and Bitcoin-related public policy
• Bitcoin Finance Forum — addressing institutional investment, Bitcoin treasury management, and macroeconomic perspectives; 
• Global Bitcoin Community Assembly — A global forum for Bitcoin grassroots and community leaders

In addition, attendees will be able to experience live Lightning Network payments at the on-site Lightning Market, showcasing Bitcoin’s real-world utility.

Event Structure:

• VIP Day (June 4): Exclusive sessions and a private reception for global executives and institutional participants
• Industry Day (June 5): Focused on enterprise use cases and strategic insights from publicly listed companies and institutional players.
• Public Day (June 6): Dedicated to Bitcoin finance, adoption stories, and infrastructure innovations, welcoming community members, builders, and enthusiasts.

As institutional interest in Bitcoin accelerates following the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States, Bitcoin Seoul 2025 positions Seoul as a key node in the emerging global Bitcoin finance ecosystem.

Countries including South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong are rapidly integrating Bitcoin-based financial products and treasury strategies — reflecting a broader shift in the global financial landscape. Bitcoin Seoul 2025 aims to capture this momentum and further elevate Seoul’s status as a leading hub for Bitcoin-driven innovation and dialogue.

This year, dozens of domestic and international companies are slated to sponsor the event. Among them is Bithumb, one of Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, recently ranked #1 in the Korea Exchange Brand Reputation Index, signaling strong market trust.

Ryan, the organizer of Bitcoin Seoul, commented: “Bitcoin Seoul 2025 will unite the global Bitcoin community, extending far beyond Asia to connect innovators worldwide. We are committed to creating a forum that integrates Bitcoin policy, finance, adoption, and community development.”

About Bitcoin Seoul

Bitcoin Seoul is the largest Bitcoin-only conference in Asia and serves as a central hub connecting the global and Asian Bitcoin ecosystems. The team is dedicated to creating key momentum for the sustainable growth of Bitcoin businesses and communities, while accelerating global Bitcoin adoption.

By providing a dynamic stage for innovation and collaboration, we aim to contribute to the mainstream adoption of Bitcoin. More than just a conference, their mission is to foster connection, expansion, and action within the Bitcoin ecosystem.

For more information on registration, sponsorship, or speaking opportunities, users can visit:

https://bitcoinseoul.kr

Contact

Event Manager
Sophia Park
Bitcoin Seoul 2025
contact@bitcoinseoul.kr