South Korea Weighs Fourth Delay of 22% Crypto Tax to 2029 - Bitcoin Foundation

South Korea's government is reportedly weighing another postponement of its planned 22% tax on cryptocurrency gains, potentially pushing implementation to 2029. If confirmed, this would mark the fourth delay of the levy, which would apply to income from digital asset trading above specified thresholds.

The repeated deferrals reflect the difficulty policymakers face in balancing tax revenue against a fast-moving market. Each delay gives regulators more time to refine reporting requirements, define taxable events, and build the infrastructure needed for exchanges and investors to comply. For market participants, the practical effect is that the tax treatment of crypto gains in one of Asia's most active retail trading markets remains unresolved, which can complicate planning and reporting obligations.

What to watch: whether the government formally confirms the 2029 timeline, how the threshold for taxable gains is ultimately set, and whether the delay is paired with stricter reporting or registration rules for exchanges. A further postponement could also influence how other jurisdictions time their own crypto tax frameworks. Until legislation is finalized, the current rules remain the reference point for investors and platforms operating in South Korea.