It is reported that the Virtual Asset User Protection Act (Virtual Asset Use Act) aims to regulate unfair trading of virtual assets such as Bitcoin and protect users. It is the country’s first domestic law on virtual assets.
At a plenary session this afternoon, the National Assembly approved the Virtual Asset Use Act with 265 votes in favor, 0 votes against, and 3 abstentions out of 268 votes cast.
The first section of the law defines virtual assets. Virtual assets are described as “digital tokens with economic worth that may be sold or transferred.” Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) was excluded from the definition of virtual assets.
The law then specifies regulations for virtual asset operators to follow in order to secure user assets. It is required to produce and maintain asset transaction records, as well as subscribe to insurance/deduction or reserve accumulation in preparation for calamities such as hacking and computer failure.
Moreover, unfair trade was described as the use of concealed key information, market price manipulation, and counterfeit business methods. In the event of a violation, there is not only a criminal penalty but also civil culpability and the potential of initiating a class action lawsuit.
The Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service resolved to resolve the problem of delegation of power to probe unfair virtual asset trades by a presidential decree rather than a legislative provision. The Bank of Korea has the authority to seek information on virtual asset operators. While virtual assets are not currencies, the claim that they will be required to implement monetary and financial stability measures has gained traction.
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