South Korea Considers Fourth Delay on Crypto Gains Tax, Potential Push to 2029

South Korean officials are weighing a fourth postponement of the planned 20% tax on cryptocurrency gains, potentially pushing implementation to 2029. The delay stems from concerns that domestic exchange users would unfairly bear the tax burden because the United States will not share crypto trading data until 2029 under current information exchange agreements. This means Korean authorities would lack access to transaction records from U.S.-based platforms, creating an uneven playing field for local investors. The tax, originally slated for 2022, has been repeatedly deferred amid industry pushback and regulatory gaps. If approved, the extension would give lawmakers more time to align with global data-sharing standards and protect domestic competitiveness. The move highlights the challenges of taxing digital assets in a fragmented international regulatory landscape. For investors, the delay offers temporary relief but prolongs uncertainty over long-term tax obligations. The final decision is expected in the coming weeks as part of broader tax reform discussions.