South Korean Experts Urge Bitcoin Integration into National Reserves Amid U.S. Crypto Push

South Korean financial experts and opposition politicians have called for the integration of Bitcoin into the country’s national reserves and the development of a won-backed stablecoin. Their calls were made during a seminar held last Wednesday at the National Assembly, hosted by the Democratic Party, the country’s main opposition party.

The seminar focused on analyzing potential responses to the United States’ latest moves toward a national Bitcoin reserve, following significant developments in U.S. crypto policy. With the U.S. taking steps to solidify Bitcoin’s place in its financial system, South Korean officials and industry experts are weighing the potential benefits and risks of similar measures.

The U.S. Leads the Way with a National Bitcoin Reserve

The discussions in South Korea gained urgency as news broke that U.S. President Donald Trump had signed an executive order on Thursday to establish a Bitcoin Reserve and a national cryptocurrency stockpile.

The following day, the White House hosted its first-ever crypto summit, signaling the administration’s commitment to positioning the U.S. as a leader in the global digital asset economy.

According to a physical document reviewed by Decrypt senior reporter Sander Lutz, the Trump administration’s priorities include policies designed to “catalyze the crypto Renaissance”, indicating a broader push to adopt digital assets at the national level.

This historic summit featured some of the biggest names in the crypto industry, including:
✅ Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy and one of Bitcoin’s most vocal advocates.
✅ Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world.

Their presence highlighted the growing influence of the crypto industry in shaping U.S. economic and financial policy.

South Korea’s Response: Calls for a National Bitcoin Strategy

Given the increasing global momentum toward national Bitcoin reserves, South Korean financial experts argue that the country should not fall behind in the digital asset revolution.

At the National Assembly seminar, discussions centered on:

1️⃣ Why South Korea Should Hold Bitcoin in Its Reserves
2️⃣ The Development of a Government-Backed Stablecoin (KRW-backed stablecoin)
3️⃣ The Economic and Strategic Benefits of Crypto Adoption

1. Holding Bitcoin in National Reserves: A Strategic Move?

Advocates argue that Bitcoin’s limited supply (21 million coins) and decentralized nature make it a strong store of value. They believe Bitcoin could serve as “digital gold”, helping South Korea:

🔹 Hedge against inflation and global financial instability.
🔹 Strengthen the country’s financial sovereignty amid the dominance of the U.S. dollar.
🔹 Diversify foreign reserves, reducing reliance on traditional assets like gold and U.S. Treasury bonds.

Some experts believe that by integrating Bitcoin into national reserves, South Korea could position itself as a leader in the future digital economy.

2. A KRW-Backed Stablecoin: Strengthening the South Korean Economy

Beyond Bitcoin reserves, experts at the seminar also pushed for the creation of a won-backed stablecoin.

Why a KRW-backed stablecoin?

📌 Enhances South Korea’s financial infrastructure by enabling faster, more efficient transactions.
📌 Competes with foreign stablecoins like Tether (USDT) and Circle’s USDC, giving South Korea more control over digital financial flows.
📌 Supports the growing South Korean crypto market, which remains one of the largest in the world.
📌 Provides a secure digital alternative to traditional payments, reducing dependency on private-sector stablecoins.

A government-backed stablecoin could also boost South Korea’s standing as a major player in global fintech, enhancing cross-border trade and digital commerce.

3. Economic and Strategic Benefits of Crypto Adoption

🔹 Competitive Advantage: By moving early, South Korea could become a global leader in crypto regulation, digital assets, and blockchain innovation.
🔹 Improved Financial Inclusion: A government-backed stablecoin could enhance access to financial services for unbanked populations.
🔹 Trade and Payments Innovation: Bitcoin and stablecoins could streamline international trade and cross-border remittances.

Will South Korea Follow the U.S. and Establish a National Bitcoin Reserve?

While the discussions at the National Assembly did not lead to immediate policy changes, they signal a growing interest among politicians and financial leaders in integrating Bitcoin into the nation’s economy.

Given that the U.S. is rapidly moving toward a Bitcoin reserve, South Korea may soon feel pressure to respond—especially as other Asian economies explore digital asset policies.

🚀 If South Korea adopts Bitcoin as part of its national reserves, it would mark a historic shift in global economic strategy, further legitimizing Bitcoin as a mainstream financial asset.

💡 For now, all eyes are on how the South Korean government will react to these growing calls for crypto adoption. Will they follow the U.S. lead and embrace Bitcoin at a national level? Only time will tell.

: South Korea Faces a Critical Decision on Bitcoin Adoption

With the United States moving aggressively into Bitcoin adoption, South Korea’s financial leaders and opposition politicians are urging the country to integrate BTC into its national reserves and develop a KRW-backed stablecoin.

Key Takeaways:

✅ U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish a Bitcoin Reserve.
✅ The White House hosted its first crypto summit, featuring Michael Saylor and Brian Armstrong.
✅ South Korean experts are pushing for Bitcoin reserves and a stablecoin to maintain economic competitiveness.
✅ A won-backed stablecoin could provide South Korea with greater financial sovereignty and innovation.

As the global financial system shifts toward digital assets, South Korea must decide whether to follow the U.S. strategy or risk falling behind in the next financial revolution. 🚀