South Korea sees sharp rise in crypto gifts to children before 2027 tax rules

South Korean families have increased reported cryptocurrency gifts to minors by 2.7 times in a year, with transfers to children aged 18 or younger reaching 4.03 billion won ($2.8 million) in 2025. Summary Crypto gifts to South Korean minors rose 2.7 times to 4.03 billion won in 2025, while the number of reported gifts nearly doubled to 103. Transfers to children aged 11 or younger tripled in value to 2.35 billion won, with reported cases rising from 28 to 65. South Korea will expand inheritance and gift tax inquiries to crypto service providers including Upbit and Bithumb from January 2027. Annual crypto gains above 2.5 million won are set to face a combined 22% tax rate from 2027. Data obtained from the National Tax Service by Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Tae-ho showed 103 reported virtual asset gifts to minors last year, up from 53 in 2024, according to a Sept. 9 News1 report. The value rose from 1.47 billion won to 4.03 billion won over the same period. The increase was even stronger among younger children. Crypto gifts to children aged 11 or younger climbed from 28 cases in 2024 to 65 last year, while their combined value tripled from 774 million won to 2.35 billion won. Acro...