South Korea’s Democratic Party is making waves with its push for a 20% crypto tax in 2025. Raising the taxable threshold to $36,000 has drawn fierce criticism and political conflict as lawmakers debate its impact on investors.

KDP Proposes New Threshold for Crypto Taxable Gains

The Democratic Party of South Korea is proposing to raise the threshold for taxable gains and is also moving forward with its plan to tax cryptocurrency gains in early 2025.

The Korea Democratic Party (KDP) reportedly contested the People's Power Party's (PPP) intention to postpone crypto tax until 2028 on November 20th, according to the Seoul Shinmun Daily, a local news agency.

PPP Criticized for Electioneering Tactics

The country's ruling party, the PPP, suggested postponing the taxation of cryptocurrency earnings until 2028 on July 12. The ruling KDP claimed that the PPP's cryptocurrency tax deferment scheme was an electioneering ploy.

Although it is prepared to increase the threshold for taxable crypto capital gains, the KDP is aiming to impose a tax on crypto gains in 2025.

Higher Tax Threshold Targets Major Investors

Per Cointelegraph, any earnings over 2.5 million won ($1,800) would have been subject to a 20% crypto gains tax per year under the previous tax plan. Crypto investors and stakeholders, however, reacted negatively to the concept.

Following in the footsteps of the country's stock policy, the KDP has proposed a new plan to increase the tax threshold to gains exceeding 50 million won (approximately $36,000).

According to the KDP, eliminating the crypto tax is comparable to increasing the threshold for taxable gains. Since very few crypto investors see profits of more than $36,000, the tax impact would be minimal.

Crypto Tax Delays Reflect Growing Industry Backlash

The group claimed that the higher level would ensure that the crypto profits tax would only affect major participants.

After receiving strong opposition from crypto stakeholders and industry heavyweights, the South Korean government decided to push back the introduction of its capital gains tax on cryptocurrencies from 2021 to 2023.

It was delayed until January 1, 2025, after lawmakers acknowledged investor worries. Still, next year's implementation of the 20% capital gains tax is possible, provided that the KDP and the ruling party reach an agreement.