Ukrainian military intelligence has reported a new series of drone strikes targeting Russian assets in occupied Crimea, including the destruction of a Su-24 frontline bomber and an Orion (Inokhodets-type) tactical unmanned aerial vehicle. According to a statement from the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, the operations were carried out by the […]Welcome to Edition 8.21 of the Rocket Report! We’re back after the Thanksgiving holiday with more launch news. Most of the big stories over the last couple of weeks came from abroad. Russian rockets and launch pads didn’t fare so well. China’s launch industry celebrated several key missions. SpaceX was busy, too, with seven launches over the last two weeks, six of them carrying more Starlink Internet satellites into orbit. We expect between 15 and 20 more orbital launch attempts worldwide before the end of the year.
As always, we welcome reader submissions. If you don’t want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets, as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.
Another Sarmat failure. A Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fired from an underground silo on the country’s southern steppe on November 28 on a scheduled test to deliver a dummy warhead to a remote impact zone nearly 4,000 miles away. The missile didn’t even make it 4,000 feet, Ars reports. Russia’s military has been silent on the accident, but the missile’s crash was seen and heard for miles around the Dombarovsky air base in Orenburg Oblast near the Russian-Kazakh border. A video posted by the Russian blog site MilitaryRussia.ru on Telegram and widely shared on other social media platforms showed the missile veering off course immediately after launch before cartwheeling upside down, losing power, and then crashing a short distance from the launch site.
© Korea Aerospace Research Institute
Woori Bank has begun displaying Bitcoin prices inside its main trading room in Seoul, placing the cryptocurrency alongside core financial indicators such as the won–dollar exchange rate and stock market data.
Key Takeaways:
The move marks the first time a commercial bank in South Korea has integrated a crypto price feed directly into its frontline dealing environment, the space where traders handle foreign exchange, bonds and derivatives.
A Woori Bank official said the decision reflects the growing weight of digital assets in global finance, noting that Bitcoin has increasingly become a signal for broader market sentiment.
“As digital assets continue to grow in prominence and influence in global financial markets, we determined that they should be monitored as a key indicator to better read overall market trends,” the official said.
The update comes as Korean banks step deeper into digital asset infrastructure.
Hana Financial Group this week signed a partnership with Dunamu, operator of the Upbit exchange, to incorporate blockchain tools into services ranging from overseas remittances to financial data systems.
While Woori has yet to announce a formal partnership with a crypto exchange, senior executives have repeatedly indicated that the bank intends to expand into digital asset services.
CEO Jung Jin-wan said in October that payments and digital asset ecosystems are “increasingly interconnected,” suggesting the sector could open new revenue avenues for banks.
— Vivek Sen (@Vivek4real_) December 5, 2025
BANKS ARE COMING!! pic.twitter.com/NBiXXhBLe0
Regulators are also shaping a clearer path. The government and ruling Democratic Party are examining a proposal that would restrict issuance of won-based stablecoins to bank-led consortia with majority bank ownership.
If enacted, the framework could position major lenders like Woori as central players in future stablecoin markets.
As reported, South Korean investors turned the Chuseok holiday into a high-risk trading week, pouring $1.24 billion into US tech and crypto-linked assets while local markets were closed between October 3 and 9.
The frenzy was led by leveraged ETFs and high-growth stocks, as traders sought to ride Wall Street’s momentum amid optimism surrounding US tech resilience and domestic stimulus hopes.
Last week, South Korea revealed that it is preparing one of its most aggressive crackdowns on cryptocurrency-related financial crime by expanding its travel rule requirements.
The new threshold covers transactions under 1 million won ($680), which until now allowed users to bypass identity checks by breaking transfers into smaller amounts
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) will also introduce pre-emptive account-freezing powers in serious cases, allowing investigators to lock suspicious accounts before funds can be moved beyond recovery.
Officials said legislative amendments are expected to be submitted to the National Assembly in the first half of 2026, with South Korea also expanding coordination with global regulators such as the Financial Action Task Force to align with international standards.
The post Woori Bank Becomes First in Korea to Display Bitcoin Prices in Trading Room appeared first on Cryptonews.
Starbucks medicine ball recipe is my cozy copycat Starbucks recipe for the viral honey citrus mint tea everyone orders when cold and flu season hits. It’s a soothing mix of mint and peach tea, hot lemonade, and honey that you can easily customize for sweetness, caffeine and comfort at home.
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram this cold and flu season, you’ve probably seen people clutching a warm cup of Starbucks Medicine Ball and swearing by it. This cozy honey citrus mint tea started as a secret menu hack and became so popular that Starbucks officially added it to the menu as Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
As a nutritionist and recipe developer, I had to recreate this viral drink at home – with a version that still tastes like your favorite Starbucks Medicine Ball tea, but lets you control the sugar, caffeine and ingredients.
In this post, I’ll walk you through:
Starbucks Medicine Ball is a hot tea drink made with:
The result is a warm, lemony, minty drink that tastes like a hug in a mug. Sweet, citrusy, with a hint of peach and that refreshing mint finish.
Originally it was a “secret menu” drink that customers nicknamed:
It became so popular that Starbucks brought it onto the official menu under the name:
Honey Citrus Mint Tea
So if you walk into Starbucks and don’t see Medicine Ball on the board, look for Honey Citrus Mint Tea it’s the same drink, just with a more official name.
Let me quickly sell you on why this homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball tea recipe deserves a place in your winter and allergy season routine:
This is one of those recipes I like to have on standby for “blah” days when you’re not sick enough to live on soup, but you want something that feels caring and soothing. The honey citrus tea is not a medicine, but each ingredient plays a small role in why people reach for it and feel comforting while sipping the medicine ball.
Hot water plus herbal or green tea gives you:
Lemon or lemonade adds:
In the original Starbucks Medicine Ball, the citrus comes from a combination of lemonade and citrusy tea.
Mint and minty green teas are:
The peach herbal tea layer:
Honey is what makes this drink feel:
The Starbucks version Honey Citrus Mint Tea is made with:
For this homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball copycat, we’ll keep the same flavor profile but use ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores:
You’ll get that same cozy honey citrus mint tea flavor, but with more control over the sweetness, caffeine, and overall ingredients.
Let’s talk numbers in simple, practical terms.
A Grande (16 fl oz) Honey Citrus Mint Tea at Starbucks typically comes in around:
Most of the sugar comes from:
That’s totally fine as an occasional treat. But if you’re sipping it regularly or trying to reduce sugar, the homemade version makes much more sense.
With my Starbucks Medicine Ball tea recipe, you can:
I’ve also included a lighter variation below if you want to cut sugar even more.
Short answer: it can help you feel better, but it doesn’t cure anything.
Here’s how I like to think of it as a nutritionist:
So, Medicine Ball firmly is more of a comfort rituals that support you , not a magic cure.
Nothing fancy here part of the appeal of this Starbucks Medicine Ball copycat is you don’t need many equipment.
Here’s the step by step method, followed by a recipe card style version you can paste into WP Recipe Maker.
This simple tweak:
Perfect for evenings or for those who avoid caffeine:
To make your Starbucks Medicine Ball tea vegan:
Maple adds a deeper, slightly caramel note; agave is more neutral.
If you don’t have access to Jade Citrus Mint and Peach Tranquility, try:
If you don’t keep lemonade at home or want even more control over sugar:
A simple ratio that works well:
Then proceed with the same tea steeping method.
If you absolutely need a sugar free option for medical reasons or strict diets:
Personally, I prefer using real honey in moderate amounts for flavor and simplicity. But you don’t take sugar you can make sugar free starbucks medicine ball.
You can boost the comfort factor with:
Yes, you can absolutely turn this into an iced Starbucks Medicine Ball for warmer days.
You get the same cozy flavor, but in a crisp, refreshing iced drink.
You can easily scale this recipe and keep it ready during cold and flu season.
Method:
Most baristas still know it by the nickname Medicine Ball, but the official name on the menu is Honey Citrus Mint Tea. So if you want to order as customised version.
Yes. Honey Citrus Mint Tea is the official Starbucks menu name for what most of us call Medicine Ball or Cold Buster Tea. Same drink, different name.
Not completely. The original Starbucks version uses a green tea blend, so it does contain a small amount of caffeine – much less than coffee but not zero. To make a caffeine-free Medicine Ball at home, use herbal mint tea instead of green tea.
A Grande Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea often has around 30+ grams of sugar, mainly from lemonade and honey/honey blend.
With the homemade version, you can:
Use more water and less lemonade
Use a low-sugar or unsweetened lemonade
Use less honey or a sugar-free sweetener if needed
This can significantly reduce the sugar while keeping that comforting flavor.
No, I wouldn’t label it a weight loss drink. It’s best to think of it as a cozy, hydrating tea you enjoy in moderation.
If you’re working on weight loss:
Use the lighter version with less lemonade and less honey
Remember that it’s more of a comfort ritual, not a diet hack
For older kids and teens, a milder, caffeine-free version can be a soothing warm drink, but:
Never give honey to children under 1 year.
Use less lemonade and less sweetener so it’s not overly sugary.
Opt for herbal teas (no green tea) to avoid caffeine.
Always check with your pediatrician if you’re unsure.
You can enjoy a homemade Medicine Ball tea regularly if you:
Keep an eye on the total sugar in your day
Choose the lighter or herbal versions more often
Treat it as a comforting, flavored tea rather than a medicine
If you have specific health conditions (blood sugar issues, reflux, etc.), talk with your healthcare provider about what works best for you.
If You like this recipe and made it Please rate the recipe. It helps us to reach more people. For the Latest updates Subscribe to Rekha’s Whatsapp. You can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest for more food inspirations.
As the sector continues to gain global momentum, Taiwanese authorities have announced that a locally issued stablecoin could be launched next year, pending the imminent approval of the country’s regulatory crypto framework and related legislation.
On Wednesday, Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) Chairman Peng Jin-long revealed that the island’s first regulated stablecoin could debut in the latter half of 2026, local news outlet Focus Taiwan reported.
The FSC chair affirmed that the Virtual Assets Service Act (VASA), which incorporates stablecoin regulation, could be passed during its third hearing in the next legislative session, scheduled for this week, after clearing initial reviews with a “high level of consensus.”
After the framework’s approval, stablecoin-centered regulations would be developed within six months, setting the launch of a locally issued token pegged to the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) or the US Dollar (USD) to the second half of the year.
The VASA supports the efforts by Taiwanese authorities to establish a comprehensive crypto framework that promotes industry growth and safeguards investors. Last year, the FSC announced an overhaul of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework to include crypto businesses, introducing stricter AML guidelines for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and requiring all crypto firms to complete the AML registration by September 2025.
In January, Peng stated that investors could have a “convenient” entrance to crypto assets in the future through stablecoins, which could serve as a bridge between the country’s legal tender and virtual currency.
In March, the FSC published the finalized draft of its landmark crypto legislation, which the VASA’s draft proposed authorizing banks to issue stablecoins pegged to the New Taiwan Dollar or the US Dollar.
Meanwhile, Premier Cho Jung-tai and Central Bank Governor Yang Chin-long recently expressed support for a formal Bitcoin (BTC) policy, pledging to study the flagship cryptocurrency as a strategic reserve asset, accelerate pro-BTC rulemaking, and pilot treasury exposure through government-seized assets.
At the legislative hearing, the FSC’s chair highlighted that the bill’s draft draws from the European Union (EU)’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). He explained that the Virtual Assets Service Act doesn’t require stablecoins to be issued exclusively by financial institutions, which has been a divisive topic in other jurisdictions.
As reported by Bitcoinist, South Korea’s long-awaited stablecoin legislation could be delayed until next year as the Korean Financial Services Commission clashes with the Bank of Korea (BOK) over the role of banks in the sector.
A local news media outlet recently noted that the BOK and regulators agree that financial institutions must be involved in the issuance of won-pegged tokens, but differ on the extent of their role.
The central bank is pushing for a consortium of banks owning at least 51% of any stablecoin issuer seeking regulatory approval. Meanwhile, regulators are concerned that giving a majority stake to banks could reduce participation from tech companies and limit the market’s innovation. Earlier this week, authorities set December 10 as the deadline for the government to deliver a draft bill.
Unlike South Korea’s financial authorities, Focus Taiwan reported that the regulator and the central bank have agreed that only financial institutions will be allowed to issue stablecoins in the initial stage to reduce risk management, suggesting that companies could join at a later stage of the project.
EXPERT OPINION — South Korea’s Korea Institute for Defense Analysis recently publicly stated that we underestimated North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. According to their analysis, North Korea has between 127 and 150 nuclear weapons (not 50 to 60 nuclear weapons), and by 2030 they will have 200 nuclear weapons, reaching 400 nuclear weapons by 2040.
At the eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Congress in late 2022, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the exponential expansion of North Korea's nuclear arsenal and the development of a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile. Mr. Kim reportedly said: “They are now keen on isolating and stifling North Korea…and the prevailing situation calls for redoubled efforts to overwhelmingly beef up our military muscle.”
During this six-day meeting of the Central Committee, Mr. Kim not only called for an “exponential increase in North Korea’s nuclear arsenal”, but he also called for the mass production of battlefield tactical nuclear weapons targeting South Korea, and a new ICBM with a “quick nuclear counterstrike capability; a weapon that could strike the mainland U.S.”
North Korean leaders usually say what they plan to do. Indeed, this is the case with Mr. Kim. Not only has he apparently done this with his arsenal of nuclear weapons, but in October 2025, at the parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Korean Workers’ Party, the Hwasong-20, a solid fuel, mobile three stage ICBM capable of targeting the whole of the U.S., was introduced to the international community. The Hwasong-20 possibly could also be capable of launching multiple nuclear warheads at different targets, a capability that would challenge any missile defense system. So, the arsenal of ICBMs that could strike the U.S. – Hwasong-18 and 19 – has also grown exponentially with the Hwasong-20, as Mr. Kim said in 2022.
North Korea has also been working on its submarine program, to include a nuclear-powered submarine. This is in addition to its extensive work on hypersonic and cruise missiles, all representing a challenge to any missile defense system.
North Korea is also developing a second-strike capability, with programs to ensure the survivability of some of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and the progress North Korea has made with solid-fuel mobile ICBMs and nuclear-armed submarines, providing a mobile launch platform. Moreover, North Korea’s doctrine for the use of nuclear weapons has changed to a preemptive, first use of nuclear weapons if a nuclear attack against the leadership or command and control systems is imminent or perceived to be imminent.
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Russian President Vladimir visited Pyongyang in June 2024, when he and Mr. Kim signed a mutual defense treaty, part of a “Strategic Comprehensive Partnership” between Russia and North Korea, ratified in November 2024. Article 4 of the treaty states that should either nation “put in a state of war by an armed invasion, the other will provide military and other assistance with all means in its possession without delay”
In October 2024, NATO claimed North Korean soldiers arrived in Russian Kursk Oblast to join Russian forces in its war of aggression with Ukraine. Additionally, North Korea was providing Russia with artillery shells and ballistic missiles. That assistance to Russia continues.
In return, it’s likely that in addition to energy and food assistance, Russia is providing North Korea with assistance with its satellite and ballistic missile programs and, also, with its nuclear program. Indeed, Russia could help with North Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine program, especially with the design, materials and components for such a technically challenging program.
North Korea’s mutual defense treaty with Russia, and its participation in the war with Ukraine, was a major failing of the U.S. and South Korea. We should have seen movement in this direction and did more to prevent it from happening. Of course, there is irony in Russia now saying North Korea should have nuclear weapons when in the Six Party Talks with North Korea, Russia, with China, Japan, South Korea and the U.S., was in sync arguing that North Korea should not have nuclear weapons.
North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs are an existential threat to the U.S. and its allies. Our past policy to “contain and deter” North Korea and to be “strategically patient” with North Korea didn’t work. They failed, as evidenced by North Korea’s robust nuclear and ballistic missile programs and their allied relationship with Russia – and China. Indeed, efforts should be made by the leadership in the U.S. and South Korea to get Mr. Kim to reengage, especially with President Donald Trump.
As South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said, North and South Korea are in a “very dangerous situation” where an accidental clash is possible at any time.
This column by Cipher Brief Expert Ambassador Joseph DeTrani was first published in The Washington Times
Read more expert-driven national security insights, perspective and analysis in The Cipher Brief because National Security is Everyone’s Business.
Companies found guilty of breaching Germany's antitrust rules face fines up to 10% of annual turnover.
The post Germany Tests Apple’s Privacy Fixes in Critical Market Test appeared first on TechRepublic.
Companies found guilty of breaching Germany's antitrust rules face fines up to 10% of annual turnover.
The post Germany Tests Apple’s Privacy Fixes in Critical Market Test appeared first on TechRepublic.
Names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers were compromised in a five-month-long data breach.
The post Personal Information of 33.7 Million Stolen From Coupang appeared first on SecurityWeek.
South Korea’s long-running effort to build a stablecoin regulatory framework has reached a decisive moment, with lawmakers setting a firm December 10 deadline for the government to deliver a draft bill.
If regulators miss that date, key legislators say they will move ahead on their own, ending months of stalled negotiations over how a won-pegged stablecoin should be issued and who should be allowed to control it.
According to reports from Seoul, the ruling party issued what it described as a final notice to financial authorities, urging them to submit the government’s proposal for the so-called “Phase 2 Legislation on Digital Assets,” which focuses specifically on stablecoin oversight.
Political and financial officials held a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly on December 1, where the biggest point of contention resurfaced: whether banks must take the lead in issuing stablecoins or whether technology firms should be allowed a more active role.
Some lawmakers have argued for a minimum 50% bank stake, citing the Bank of Korea’s long-standing warnings that privately issued digital won tokens could affect monetary policy and destabilize the financial system.
Others, including parts of the ruling party and the Financial Services Commission (FSC), prefer lowering the barrier to allow fintech participation, saying excessive restrictions could limit innovation.
The FSC later issued a public statement clarifying that no final decision had been made on whether a consortium or a 51% bank stake would be permitted.
The regulator confirmed that stablecoin legislation was discussed during Monday’s policy consultation and that both sides agreed to prepare a government bill as soon as possible.
However, specifics remain unsettled, prolonging a delay that has already pushed expected timelines several times.
This debate has taken on broader urgency as rival political parties race to introduce their own drafts.
The National Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee is currently reviewing three separate bills, each proposing rules for issuance, collateral management, internal controls, and minimum capital requirements of about 5 billion won.
The bills differ on issues such as whether stablecoin issuers should be allowed to offer interest on holdings, reflecting ongoing disparities in policy direction.
The pressure is further intensified by parallel regulatory developments across government. The Financial Intelligence Unit is reorganizing its anti-money laundering protocols for stablecoins and preparing research that will shape future AML guidelines.
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) August 19, 2025
South Korea is also moving toward a tighter travel rule regime, with plans to extend reporting requirements to transactions under 1 million won to prevent users from bypassing identity checks.
Authorities have indicated that enhanced KYC rules and stricter oversight will accompany any new stablecoin system.
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) November 28, 2025
Meanwhile, the Bank of Korea has expressed fresh concerns. In an October report, the central bank warned that improperly collateralized stablecoins could trigger depegging events and disrupt capital flow management.
It argued again that only regulated financial institutions should issue stablecoins, stressing that non-bank issuers could effectively engage in deposit-like activities without the safeguards banks must follow.
Despite regulatory disagreements, the domestic market is already moving ahead. Naver Financial has completed development of a stablecoin wallet for Busan’s Dongbaek-jeon program, which will convert the city’s prepaid local currency into a blockchain-based token.
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) November 25, 2025
KakaoBank has begun building infrastructure for a KRW-denominated “Kakao Coin,” indicating growing corporate interest in digital won products. Major banks have also explored a consortium-issued stablecoin targeted for late 2025 or early 2026.
These advancements show why lawmakers are determined to meet the current legislative window.
However, the regulatory uncertainty mirrors other delays in South Korea’s digital asset agenda, including the country’s virtual asset taxation regime.
Despite being approved in 2020, Korea’s crypto tax law has been postponed multiple times and remains scheduled for 2027, with many of the required systems still incomplete.
— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) November 24, 2025
South Korea has fallen behind major economies such as the United States, the European Union, and Japan, all of which have already formalized stablecoin structures.
Industry groups warn that further delays could weaken competitiveness, especially as dollar-based tokens like USDT continue to dominate global markets.
The post South Korea’s Stablecoin Bill Faces Dec. 10 Deadline – or Lawmakers Act Alone appeared first on Cryptonews.
According to a report from South Korean security firm AhnLab, state-linked hacking organizations like the North Korea-backed Lazarus Group relied heavily on spear phishing to steal funds and gather intelligence over the last 12 months. The group often posed as conference organizers, job contacts or colleagues to trick people into opening files or running commands.
Reports have disclosed that one unit known as Kimsuky used artificial intelligence to forge military ID images and lodge them inside a ZIP file to make messages look legitimate.
Security researchers say the fake IDs were convincing enough that recipients opened the attachments, which then ran hidden code. The incident has been traced to mid-July 2025 and appears to mark a step up in how attackers craft their lures.
The aim is simple. Get a user to trust a message, open a file, and the attacker gets a way in. That access can lead to stolen credentials, seeded malware or drained crypto wallets. The groups linked to Pyongyang have been tied to attacks on finance and defense targets, among others.
Some campaigns did not rely only on hidden exploits. In several cases, targets were tricked into typing PowerShell commands themselves, sometimes while believing they were following official instructions.
That step lets attackers run scripts with high privileges without needing a zero-day. Security outlets have warned that this social trick is spreading and can be hard to spot.
Attackers also abused Windows shortcut files and similar formats to hide commands that run silently when a file is opened. Researchers have documented nearly 1,000 malicious .lnk samples tied to broader campaigns, showing that familiar file types remain a favorite delivery method. Those shortcuts can execute hidden arguments and pull down further payloads.
This makes the attacks harder to stop: tailored messages, AI-forged visuals, and tricks that ask users to run code. Multi-factor authentication and software patches help, but training people to treat unusual requests with suspicion remains key. Security teams advocate basic safety nets: update, verify, and when in doubt, check with a known contact.
According to reports, Lazarus Group and Kimsuky continue to be active. Lazarus, based on AhnLab’s findings, received the most mentions in post-cybercrime analyses over the last 12 months. The group has been singled out for financially motivated hacks, while Kimsuky seems more focused on intelligence gathering and tailored deception.
Featured image from Anadolu, chart from TradingView
The South Korean company was hit by a data breach that exposed the personal information of 33.7 million users.
The post E-Commerce Firm Coupang Faces Massive Fine After Data Breach appeared first on TechRepublic.
The South Korean company was hit by a data breach that exposed the personal information of 33.7 million users.
The post E-Commerce Firm Coupang Faces Massive Fine After Data Breach appeared first on TechRepublic.
South Korea is taking a major step toward formalising how won-based stablecoins will be issued and supervised, after lawmakers settled a long-running dispute over who should control the process.
A closed-door meeting brought clarity to the core question of authority, with policymakers agreeing that banks should lead the effort while still allowing tech firms to participate.
The move comes at a time when crypto adoption is rising among people aged 20 to 50, and when global players continue to dominate stablecoin markets.
With a December deadline approaching, officials want to finalise a structure that supports innovation but keeps monetary stability at the centre of regulation.
A Dec. 1 report by Maeli Business Newspaper said lawmakers agreed on a consortium model where banks maintain majority control of stablecoin-issuing entities.
Tech companies will still be able to participate, but financial institutions will take the lead to reduce systemic risks.
The goal is to create a Korean-style stablecoin framework that mirrors the safeguards of traditional finance, with clear rules governing reserves, issuance, and supervision.
The model was designed to align with the Bank of Korea’s concerns about protecting the money supply.
It also provides a common structure for private companies, reducing the risk of fragmented products entering the market without consistent stability mechanisms.
By setting shared standards early, policymakers hope to shape a domestic stablecoin ecosystem that can support innovation without compromising financial security.
Senior Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Joon-hyun said the government must submit its proposal by Dec. 10. If it misses the deadline, lawmakers will move ahead with their own version of the bill.
The aim is to pass the legislation during the National Assembly’s January extraordinary session, after consultation with the ruling People Power Party and the president’s office.
This new act expands on the Digital Asset Basic Act passed earlier this year.
That earlier law established licensing rules for issuers, requirements for reserve protection, and compliance obligations for virtual asset service providers.
The upcoming bill fills in the remaining regulatory gaps by specifying how stablecoins should be managed when they operate like traditional financial instruments.
It also provides clearer guidance for US-based stablecoins such as USDT and USDC, which have become increasingly influential in Korea’s growing digital asset market.
Officials warn that delays could leave Korean companies trailing behind their global competitors.
The US, EU, and Japan strengthened their stablecoin rules in 2025, creating a more defined landscape for exchanges and financial institutions.
Korean regulators want to avoid losing momentum, especially as domestic interest in crypto continues to rise.
The updated framework aims to reduce uncertainty for developers, financial firms, and exchanges.
By bringing digital assets closer to mainstream financial oversight, authorities hope to support responsible growth and give consumers access to well-regulated products.
The focus is on keeping the domestic market aligned with international standards while maintaining space for private-sector innovation.
The meeting also covered planned updates to financial security and capital-market rules.
After recent hacking incidents at major financial companies, officials intend to revise the Electronic Financial Transactions Act.
Proposed changes include tougher penalties and stronger enforcement following cyber breaches.
Lawmakers are also working with opposition parties on a set of capital-market reforms.
These include rules that would require mandatory tender offers in certain corporate situations.
They also plan to update share-allocation standards so that everyday investors have fairer access to offerings.
The goal is to improve transparency and strengthen market integrity as Korea reshapes its financial regulatory environment.
The post South Korea moves to tighten stablecoin rules with a bank-led model appeared first on CoinJournal.
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