In the era of Bitcoin price fluctuations, establishing the trading structure first is the foundation of investment.

As the Korean government delays the taxation of virtual asset income until 2027, a unique opportunity has opened for investors. They can maintain an environment where they can increase their assets without tax burdens on trading profits for at least two years or more. Currently, Bitcoin is hovering around $92.80K, with a 24-hour change of -0.91%. Amid this price volatility, investors often overlook an important aspect: deciding ‘at what price level to buy’ is less critical than choosing ‘which trading method to use.’

Tax Deferral Period and Trading Structure Choices Determine Actual Returns

The 20% capital gains tax on virtual asset trading income, which was scheduled to be imposed, will take effect from January 1, 2027. This is not just a simple postponement; it signifies a period during which traders can freely choose between spot trading and derivatives trading. In the US and Europe, tax reporting on trading profits is already standard, so investors must always calculate their after-tax returns first. The environment where one can strategize without immediately deducting taxes—like in Korea—is rare.

If you are considering short-term trading or swing trading, this difference is significant. In strategies that aim to accumulate profits repeatedly, whether taxes are paid or not determines how quickly compound effects can be realized. The more frequent the trades, the more this gap widens beyond mere numbers. Importantly, all trading profits before 2027 remain fully in the investor’s possession.

How to Focus on Trading Without Wallet Management Burden

The biggest psychological barrier for new entrants into the virtual asset market is the complexity of asset management. The burden of securely storing private keys and seed phrases, and the risk of wallet loss, weighs heavily. Once lost, recovery is impossible; exposure to others can threaten the entire asset. This uncertainty causes anxiety not only for beginners but also for experienced users.

CFD( Contracts for Difference) fundamentally solves this problem. No need to install separate wallets or manage private keys or seed phrases. After opening an account, you can start trading immediately, with a process similar to stock trading. Entry, stop-loss, and take-profit are straightforward, and you can focus solely on price movements.

From a security perspective, CFDs are different. They operate under regulatory oversight, with basic protections like segregated client funds. Since you do not hold the coins directly, the risk of hacking and asset leakage is structurally eliminated. This provides not only safety but also psychological peace of mind.

Which is Better for Spot Trading and CFD, Short-term Trading?

Even if trading occurs over the same period and at the same price levels, the method of trading significantly impacts returns and risks. Domestic spot trading is fundamentally a bet on price increases only. During downturns or sideways markets, options are limited to waiting. Conversely, CFDs can respond to both upward and downward movements, offering a much wider strategic scope in volatile markets.

Capital efficiency also differs. Spot trading requires full capital to open a position. CFDs leverage capital, allowing participation with less initial funds. This is not about reckless betting but about more flexible capital allocation within the same budget.

Fee structures are also crucial. Domestic spot trading on exchanges incurs transaction fees on both buy and sell sides, which accumulate with high trading frequency. Some CFD platforms do not charge trading fees, reducing costs for strategies that involve frequent short-term trades.

Risk management structures differ as well. CFDs typically include standard stop-loss and take-profit functions, allowing traders to predefine loss limits at entry. In spot trading, traders often need to monitor prices actively. During sharp volatility, this difference becomes more tangible.

Beware the Trap of Indirect Exposure: Caution on Cryptocurrency Company Stocks

Recently, Korean investors are increasingly interested in stocks of crypto-related companies listed on US exchanges. Instead of holding Bitcoin directly or trading derivatives, they are trying to indirectly bet on the market through stocks, especially those of companies holding Bitcoin as assets.

The underlying assumption is simple: if Bitcoin’s price rises, the stock prices of related companies will also go up. However, long-term data shows this expectation is unstable. Comparing 7- or 10-year cumulative returns, Bitcoin has achieved overwhelming gains, while related company stocks have shown much more limited growth. At certain points, volatility was even higher, with deeper declines.

In short-term periods, this gap becomes even more pronounced. Some companies may experience rapid surges, but such spikes often depend more on market hype and capital inflows than on actual cryptocurrency prices. When market corrections begin, the situation can change quickly. Some companies have issued new shares or convertible bonds to reduce financial burdens, diluting existing shareholders’ stakes. During these processes, stock prices can plummet regardless of Bitcoin’s price movements.

Ultimately, investing in crypto-related stocks is not just betting on the coin prices but also involves bearing the company’s financial and management risks. In volatile phases, this gap can severely impact investment performance.

Precise Price Exposure Is the Simplest Choice

The current Korean market environment is relatively favorable. Tax deferral continues, and within the legal framework, direct exposure to price movements is possible. Under these conditions, there is little need to take on complex corporate risks. A method that directly links to the price without worrying about stock dilution or financial strategies is much simpler and more transparent.

In this regard, CFD trading is worth considering. It allows focus solely on Bitcoin’s price movements without the influence of specific company variables. At current price levels, traders can respond in either direction, with a clear trading structure.

Don’t Waste Time on Choices Until 2027

Tax deferral is not an everlasting system. The deadline in 2027 is clear, and the environment afterward could be entirely different. The ‘tax-free window’ now available depends heavily on how investors utilize it.

The most important question is not which coin to buy, but how to participate in the market structurally. Even with the same price movements, the risks, costs, and actual returns vary greatly depending on the trading method. Engaging directly with prices—without security burdens, tax calculations, or corporate issues—is well suited to the current environment. Especially in volatile markets, simplicity in trading structure translates into stability.

Your current choice can set the standard for how you view the virtual asset market in the future. What you buy may matter less than how you trade. The time until 2027 is short. It’s time to move beyond technical burdens like wallet loss and focus purely on trading structure and decision-making.