The strategy to defer virtual asset taxation until 2027 hinges on selecting the right transaction structure.

The Korean government has postponed the implementation of virtual asset taxation until 2027, ensuring domestic investors a minimum of two years of trading without tax burdens. This is not merely a delay in policy but a structural opportunity to fundamentally redesign trading strategies. While advanced markets like the US and Europe already impose over 20% taxes on virtual asset trading profits, Korea still offers a rare environment where trading strategies can be developed without post-tax calculations.

Recently, Bitcoin prices have stabilized around $93,980, and participation in virtual asset trading is notably increasing among the 2030 generation. Daily trading volumes on domestic platforms have surged, and more investors are actively utilizing volatility rather than just holding.

No Tax Period, Time to Choose Trading Methods

With the tax deferral until 2027, all trading profits before that date remain with the investors. How one participates in the market during this period significantly impacts actual returns.

From a short-term trading and swing trading perspective, more frequent trading leads to greater structural differences. Now is the optimal time to optimize trading methods, as taxes are not yet imposed. In particular, the efficiency of trading structures—such as capital efficiency, bidirectional trading capabilities, and risk management systems—directly affects long-term performance.

Recognizing Structural Differences Between Spot and Derivative Trading

Domestic spot trading is fundamentally profitable only when prices rise. When the market declines or moves sideways, options are limited to observing or holding. In contrast, derivative trading(e.g., CFDs) can respond to both upward and downward movements, providing a much wider strategic scope in volatile markets.

In terms of capital efficiency, the differences are clear. Spot trading requires the full amount of capital to open a position, whereas derivatives allow market participation with leverage, using less capital. This means more flexible allocation of the same capital, which is a key efficiency indicator for short-term traders.

Fee structures are also significant. Domestic exchanges charge trading fees on both buy and sell sides, and higher trading frequency results in increased cumulative costs. Some derivative platforms have different fee structures, affecting the profitability of short-term strategies.

Risk management also varies structurally. Derivative trading typically includes built-in stop-loss and take-profit functions, allowing fixed risk levels at entry. Spot trading often requires manual monitoring and response, which can lead to slower execution during rapid market movements.

The Pitfalls of Indirect Investment, ‘Coin-Related Stocks’ Limitations

Recently, interest in so-called ‘coin-related stocks’ listed on US stock markets has grown, based on the assumption that related stocks will rise in tandem with Bitcoin.

However, data shows instability in this expectation. Over 7- or 10-year periods, Bitcoin has achieved overwhelming cumulative returns, while crypto-related companies’ stock performance has been much more limited over the same timeframe. In some periods, volatility was higher and declines deeper.

In shorter periods, this divergence becomes even more extreme. Some crypto-related companies have experienced hundreds of percent gains during certain periods. Yet, such rapid increases depend more on market themes and capital inflows than on the actual price of cryptocurrencies.

When the crypto market begins to correct, the situation can change rapidly. Some related companies may issue new shares or convertible bonds to ease financial burdens, leading to dilution and erosion of shareholder value. During this process, stock prices can plummet regardless of Bitcoin’s price.

Ultimately, coin-related stocks are more akin to investing in companies that use cryptocurrencies as a theme rather than direct crypto investments. Variables such as performance, funding, and management strategies constantly intervene, and in volatile phases, this gap can severely impact investment outcomes.

The Choices Made Now Will Set the Future Benchmark

The tax deferral until 2027 is a unique, non-repetitive opportunity. How one participates in the market during this period will determine actual returns.

What matters is not just ‘what to buy,’ but ‘how to trade.’ Even with the same price movements, trading structures influence costs, risk management, and perceived returns. Now is the time to carefully consider how well your approach aligns with this environment—reducing security concerns, calculating profits without tax burdens, and directly engaging with price flows without being swayed by complex corporate variables.

In highly volatile markets, simplicity in structure often translates into stability. The choices made during this deferral period can serve as a benchmark for how you view the virtual asset market moving forward. In the long run, what you traded and how you traded may leave a more lasting impression than what you bought.

There is limited time until 2027. It is the moment to thoughtfully consider the optimal choices permitted by the current structure.