A string of hacking incidents in South Korea’s financial sector has led to confirmed personal data leaks at savings banks and mutual finance groups, prompting authorities to step up inspections and security requirements. Banks are moving to raise cybersecurity spending and expand fraud prevention systems using AI. Market volatility and a steep stock selloff also drew a policy response. Political debate intensified over postponing digital asset taxation and regulating exchange shareholders.

South Korea’s National Tax Service said it is preparing to issue detailed criteria for taxing digital assets around November, as questions persist over staking, airdrops, hard forks and DeFi. Lawmakers urged preparations on the assumption the current system will take effect unless the National Assembly decides to delay it. Separately, discussions continue on phase-two legislation under the Digital Asset Basic Act, including stablecoins. Markets also tracked bitcoin’s stalled push above $87,000 and Ethereum’s next major upgrade.