Korean crypto gifts to minors triple ahead of tax changes
South Korean families transferred 4.03 billion won in crypto to children in 2025, a sharp rise driven by upcoming tax enforcement.
Reported cryptocurrency gifts to minors in South Korea increased 2.7 times year over year. The total value reached 4.03 billion won in 2025. This equals approximately 2.8 million US dollars.
Data from the National Tax Service shows 103 reported gift cases last year. This is up from 53 cases in 2024. The value of these transfers rose from 1.47 billion won to 4.03 billion won.
Younger children receive larger crypto transfers
Gifts to children aged 11 or younger grew the fastest. Case numbers jumped from 28 in 2024 to 65 in 2025. The combined value of these transfers tripled to 2.35 billion won.
Across all age groups, the tax authority recorded 423 crypto inheritance and gift cases. The total value was 45.86 billion won. This represents a 2.4 fold increase in case count and a 3.4 fold increase in value.
New tax tools target hidden assets
These figures emerge as South Korea prepares to expand tax authority powers. Virtual asset service providers will join financial asset inquiries starting January 1, 2027. This allows tax officials to check crypto holdings in inheritance and gift cases.
The National Tax Service plans to use commercial wallet tracing software. This tool helps identify movements between private wallets. Lawmakers note that person to person transfers still require better monitoring.
Twenty two percent tax applies in 2027
A separate income tax on crypto gains begins next year. Investors paying 22 percent on profits above 2.5 million won will see higher bills. This rule applies to assets held on domestic exchanges and overseas platforms.
GN markets/crypto (en-US) reports that the government confirmed this rollout in its 2026 tax reform package. The measures aim to improve visibility over digital assets held outside traditional financial accounts.
