This study reports the complete genome sequence and characterization of a novel human coronavirus (HCoV-EMC/2012) isolated from a patient with acute pneumonia and renal failure in June 2012. The genome, consisting of 30,119 nucleotides, contains at least 10 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), with 9 expressed from seven subgenomic mRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis places HCoV-EMC/2012 most closely related to bat coronaviruses *Tylonycteris* bat coronavirus HKU4 (BtCoV-HKU4) and *Pipistrellus* bat coronavirus HKU5 (BtCoV-HKU5), both belonging to lineage C of the genus *Betacoronavirus*. Based on amino acid sequence identities, HCoV-EMC/2012 is proposed to represent a novel species in the genus *Betacoronavirus*. The virus shares high sequence similarity with BtCoV-HKU4 and BtCoV-HKU5, particularly in the E and M ORFs. The study highlights the importance of high-throughput sequencing techniques in virus discovery and the need for further research to understand the clinical impact and pathogenesis of HCoV-EMC/2012.This study reports the complete genome sequence and characterization of a novel human coronavirus (HCoV-EMC/2012) isolated from a patient with acute pneumonia and renal failure in June 2012. The genome, consisting of 30,119 nucleotides, contains at least 10 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), with 9 expressed from seven subgenomic mRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis places HCoV-EMC/2012 most closely related to bat coronaviruses *Tylonycteris* bat coronavirus HKU4 (BtCoV-HKU4) and *Pipistrellus* bat coronavirus HKU5 (BtCoV-HKU5), both belonging to lineage C of the genus *Betacoronavirus*. Based on amino acid sequence identities, HCoV-EMC/2012 is proposed to represent a novel species in the genus *Betacoronavirus*. The virus shares high sequence similarity with BtCoV-HKU4 and BtCoV-HKU5, particularly in the E and M ORFs. The study highlights the importance of high-throughput sequencing techniques in virus discovery and the need for further research to understand the clinical impact and pathogenesis of HCoV-EMC/2012.