Bank of Korea Launches New Division to Oversee Crypto and Stablecoin Developments

The Bank of Korea (BOK) has taken a significant step toward deepening its involvement in the digital asset ecosystem by establishing a dedicated virtual asset division, according to a report from local media outlet News1.

The newly formed unit will operate under the central bank’s financial payment systems bureau, where it will focus on monitoring crypto markets and supporting legislative discussions on virtual assets.

The division is expected to play a central role in shaping the BOK’s internal strategy regarding Korean won-based stablecoins, aligning with ongoing efforts to modernize South Korea’s financial infrastructure and regulatory oversight of emerging asset classes.

In a related move, the central bank has also renamed its Digital Currency Research Team to the Digital Currency Team. This subtle but notable change indicates a shift from purely academic or exploratory research to more applied, operational engagement with central bank digital currency (CBDC) frameworks and real-world use cases.

As central banks around the globe accelerate work on CBDCs and digital asset regulation, South Korea’s central bank appears to be positioning itself to remain competitive and proactive in the evolving financial landscape. The Block has reportedly reached out to the BOK for additional details on the new division’s scope and objectives.

Kosta Gushterov

Kosta has been working in the crypto industry for over 4 years. He strives to present different perspectives on a given topic and enjoys the sector for its transparency and dynamism. In his work, he focuses on balanced coverage of events and developments in the crypto space, providing information to his readers from a neutral perspective.