South Korea weighs fourth delay of crypto gains tax, eyes 2029 start: report - The Block

South Korea is reportedly considering another postponement of its planned tax on cryptocurrency gains—what would be the fourth such delay—with a possible start date now eyed for 2029, according to The Block. The measure would apply to profits from digital-asset trading, a framework that has been repeatedly pushed back as policymakers weigh implementation details and market conditions.

The significance lies in the signal such a delay sends. Repeated postponements suggest regulators remain cautious about how a gains tax could affect participation and liquidity in a market that South Korean retail investors use heavily. For market participants, the shifting timeline creates uncertainty around reporting obligations and compliance planning, even as the underlying policy direction—taxing crypto gains—remains intact.

What to watch: whether the reported 2029 target is formally adopted, and how accompanying rules—such as reporting thresholds and calculation methods—take shape. Clear, final timelines tend to reduce ambiguity for exchanges and investors alike. Until then, the development is best read as a continuation of South Korea's gradual, deliberative approach to crypto taxation rather than a reversal of policy.