South Korean exchange Bithumb tightens rules on crypto lending, reducing leverage and loan limits by 80%. Service resumed after suspension due to low lending volume. Borrowing cap now at 200 million won ($145,000), even for investors with over 100 billion won ($72 million) in trading volume over three years.

South Korea’s FSC and FSS create task force with local exchanges to draft Virtual Asset Lending Service Guidelines. Task force includes members from regulatory bodies and major exchanges, focusing on leverage limits, asset eligibility, and risk transparency. Exchanges urged to reassess high-risk services before resuming operations.

Over 25% of South Koreans aged 20-50 own crypto, with 14% of their financial portfolios in digital assets. Highest ownership among those in their 40s at 31%. Retail investors in South Korea shifting from US Big Tech to crypto-linked stocks, with their share of top 50 net-bought equities increasing from 8.5% in January to 31.5% in July.

Read more at CoinTelegraph: Bithumb Halves Crypto Lending Leverage, Cuts Loan Limits by 80%