South Korea is strengthening its regulatory grip on the digital asset industry as authorities move to eliminate fraudulent trading activities and protect retail investors. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has unveiled an expanded enforcement strategy that combines advanced artificial intelligence monitoring with stricter compliance frameworks for digital asset operators.
The announcement came on February 9, when FSS Governor Lee Chan-jin presented the agency’s 2026 business roadmap. The strategy aligns with the government’s broader financial reform agenda, which aims to eliminate what President Lee Jae-myung previously described as “cruel financial practices” that disproportionately harm individual investors.
Digital Asset Act Development Moves Forward
As part of the reform initiative, the FSS has created a preparatory committee tasked with implementing the upcoming Basic Digital Asset Act. The legislation is expected to introduce clearer regulatory standards for virtual asset issuance and trading operations.
The committee will focus on building disclosure systems designed to improve transparency across the crypto ecosystem. In addition, regulators plan to introduce licensing guidelines for digital asset service providers, including stablecoin issuers. These measures aim to establish standardized evaluation and approval processes for companies entering the sector.
The FSS is also reviewing cryptocurrency exchange fee structures. Officials intend to introduce differentiated fee systems that encourage fair competition while enabling users to make more informed platform choices.
AI Monitoring to Detect Market Manipulation
A key component of South Korea’s enforcement strategy is the deployment of AI-powered surveillance systems capable of analyzing suspicious trading patterns in real time. The technology will monitor abnormal price fluctuations at both second-by-second and minute-by-minute intervals.
The AI system will also utilize text analysis to detect coordinated trading groups and identify irregular transaction behaviors. Authorities have specifically highlighted several high-risk manipulation strategies under investigation, including:
Whale-driven market manipulation, where large investors move substantial funds to influence prices
Fence trading tactics, used to artificially adjust prices of temporarily suspended assets
Racehorse trading strategies, involving rapid and concentrated buying to trigger sudden price spikes
Regulators have also flagged API-based order manipulation and social media misinformation campaigns as growing threats to market stability. Authorities believe these practices significantly undermine investor confidence and require urgent regulatory action.
Expanded Enforcement Against Financial Crime
To strengthen enforcement capabilities, South Korea plans to establish a specialized judicial police coordination body dedicated to financial crimes. This unit will improve on-site investigative responses and streamline collaboration between regulators and law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, the Illegal Financial Transaction Reporting Center will expand its role by introducing enhanced victim support services. Authorities are also developing an AI-driven voice phishing detection system that will enable data sharing between telecom providers and financial institutions, allowing quicker identification of fraud attempts.
Additionally, new compensation programs for voice phishing victims are expected to be introduced as part of broader consumer protection reforms.
Tougher Cybersecurity and IT Compliance Rules
The FSS is also increasing scrutiny of cybersecurity standards across financial institutions. Companies failing to maintain adequate IT security measures will face heavier penalties, including punitive fines.
Under the new compliance framework, chief executives and Chief Information Security Officers will bear greater accountability for cybersecurity performance. Financial institutions will be required to maintain comprehensive IT asset inventories and proactively address system vulnerabilities. Organizations that fail to resolve major security risks may face direct regulatory inspections and full-scale audits.
To support sector-wide cyber defense, the FSS has activated its Integrated Risk Management System. The platform will collect and distribute cyber threat intelligence across financial institutions, while the FIRST response system will coordinate real-time security responses to emerging threats.
Launch of Financial AI Ethics Framework
Alongside surveillance enhancements, regulators are introducing new Financial AI Ethics Guidelines aimed at promoting fairness, transparency, and accountability in algorithm-driven decision-making.
The newly developed AI Risk Management Framework will help financial institutions manage technological risks throughout the entire lifecycle of AI adoption, from development to operational deployment.
Stronger Consumer Protection in Payment Systems
South Korea is also introducing additional safeguards for electronic payment gateway operators. These companies will be required to offer dedicated deposit products to protect prepaid recharge funds. Regulators will conduct inspections to ensure external management of settlement funds meets updated user protection standards.
Strengthening Market Integrity
South Korea’s latest regulatory measures reflect a comprehensive approach to maintaining order within its rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem. By combining advanced AI surveillance with stricter legal enforcement and cybersecurity oversight, authorities aim to create a safer and more transparent crypto trading environment.
Key Takeaways
South Korea’s FSS is deploying AI surveillance tools to detect cryptocurrency price manipulation and fraudulent trading behavior in real time.
The Basic Digital Asset Act will introduce licensing standards and transparency requirements for crypto operators and stablecoin issuers.
Financial institutions face stricter cybersecurity obligations, while new anti-fraud systems and victim protection programs are being introduced.