📌 TOPINDIATOURS Update crypto: South Korea Proposes Crypto Exchange Ownership Caps

South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has reportedly proposed limiting major shareholders of cryptocurrency exchanges to 15-20% ownership stakes, a regulatory bombshell dropped on December 30-31 that is now casting a long shadow over the industry’s outlook for 2026.

The proposal would force the founders and controlling shareholders of Korea’s top five exchanges to divest significant portions of their holdings.

A New Year Clouded by Uncertainty

The timing of the announcement—just days before the new year—has left industry participants scrambling to assess the implications. A local media outlet first broke the story on December 30, which was subsequently covered by major financial outlets. What was expected to be a celebratory period marking another year of growth in one of the world’s most active crypto markets has instead become a period of anxious speculation about the future of exchange ownership structures.

“The industry entered 2026 under a cloud of regulatory uncertainty,” one exchange executive told reporters. “Deals that were on the verge of closing are now back on the drawing board.”

Sweeping Changes to Governance

Under the proposed Digital Asset Basic Act, the FSC aims to transform crypto exchanges from founder-controlled private enterprises into quasi-public infrastructure, similar to Alternative Trading Systems (ATS) under Korea’s Capital Markets Act.

The impact would be immediate and far-reaching:

The proposal also signals a shift from the current registration system to a full-licensing regime, with regulators conducting fitness reviews of major shareholders—a level of scrutiny previously reserved for traditional financial institutions.

Mega-Deals in Limbo

Two of the most significant corporate developments in Korea’s crypto sector now face major complications.

Naver’s planned merger with Dunamu, which would create a fintech giant valued at approximately 20 trillion won ($14 billion), is directly affected. The current structure—where Naver Pay would hold 100% of Dunamu—is fundamentally incompatible with the proposed ownership caps.

Similarly, Mirae Asset’s acquisition of Korbit, for which a memorandum of understanding was recently signed with major shareholders NXC and SK Planet, faces an uncertain path forward. Industry observers note that investing over 100 billion won without securing management control undermines the strategic rationale for the deal.

Relaxing the Wall Between Finance and Crypto

One significant aspect of the proposal involves easing Korea’s strict separation between traditional finance and virtual asset businesses.

Since late 2017, when the government imposed sweeping cryptocurrency regulations amid a speculative frenzy, authorities have maintained the unwritten rule. It bars banks, insurers, and other financial institutions from investing in or partnering with crypto firms—a policy designed to insulate the traditional financial system from the volatility and risks of digital assets. While never codified into law, this principle has effectively kept established financial players on the sidelines …

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🔗 Sumber: www.beincrypto.com

📌 TOPINDIATOURS Breaking crypto: Trump Media Token Airdrop Confirmed for Sharehold

Trump Media and Technology Group has confirmed plans to distribute a new digital token to its shareholders, marking the clearest step yet in the company’s gradual expansion into blockchain-based products tied to its media and financial services ecosystem.

In a press release, the company said it intends to issue the token to shareholders of its publicly traded stock, DJT, in partnership with Crypto.com.

The distribution will be carried out using Crypto.com’s infrastructure, with the token expected to run on the Cronos blockchain, which is designed to support high transaction throughput and interoperability across networks.

Trump Media said Airdrop Token does not equal ownership

According to the announcement, each ultimate beneficial owner of DJT shares would be eligible to receive one digital token for every whole share they own, beginning at a record date that will be set in the future.

Trump Media said token holders may periodically receive rewards throughout the year, which could include benefits or discounts tied to its products, including Truth Social, the Truth+ streaming platform, and its prediction market product, Truth Predict.

The company emphasized that the token is not intended to function as equity or a financial security. Trump Media said the digital asset will not represent ownership in the company or any other entity, and that holders should not expect rewards tied to profits generated through managerial efforts.

The token may also be non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash, according to the disclosure.

Trump Media chief executive and chairman Devin Nunes said the company sees the token as a way to reward shareholders while operating within what it described as improving regulatory clarity.

He added that the company plans to rely on Crypto.com’s blockchain technology to implement the distribution. Trump Media said further details about how and when the token will be issued are expected to be released in the new year.

The announcement comes as Trump Media’s stock showed renewed activity, as the shares of DJT were recently trading at about $13.30, up roughly 5.85% on the day, reflecting investor attention following the token disclosure.

As Revenue Plateaus, Trump Media Leans Deeper Into Digital Assets

Financially, the company continues to report modest revenue alongside sizable losses. In the trailing twelve months of 2025, Trump Media reported revenue of $3.67 million, a slight increase of about 1.6% from 2024, when revenue totaled $3.61 million.

That figure, however, remains below the $4.13 million reported in 2023, the strongest year in the past three-year period. The data shows that revenue growth has largely stalled, with the company struggling to meaningfully expand its income base.

The token distribution fits into a broader pattern of crypto-related initiatives from Trump Media over the past year.

In April, the company disclosed that it was exploring the launch of a utility token and a digital wallet as part of an expansion of Truth+, initially positioning the token as a way to pay for streaming subscriptions before potentially extending its use across other services.

Trump Media has also expanded into financial products through its Truth.Fi brand. In January, the company announced plans to invest in Bitcoin and other digital assets and to work with Crypto.com on launching crypto-focused exchange-traded funds.