OKX Ventures has agreed to invest $53 million in South Korean crypto exchange Coinone, joining Korea Investment & Securities in a combined $106 million deal that deepens institutional involvement in the country’s digital asset market.
Key Takeaways
- OKX Ventures will invest 80 billion won ($53 million) for a 19.6% stake in Coinone.
- Korea Investment & Securities (KIS) will make an identical investment, bringing the total deal value to 160 billion won ($106 million).
- The partnership aims to advance stablecoins, tokenized securities, compliance systems, and digital asset infrastructure.
- The deal highlights growing interest from both global crypto firms and traditional financial institutions in South Korea’s digital asset sector.
What Happened?
South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Coinone has secured a major strategic investment from OKX Ventures and Korea Investment & Securities, with each company committing 80 billion won ($53 million) for a 19.6% ownership stake.
The investment remains subject to regulatory approval, but once completed, OKX Ventures and KIS will become Coinone’s joint third largest shareholders. The transaction combines purchases of existing shares from current shareholders with subscriptions to newly issued shares, providing fresh capital to support the exchange’s growth plans.
OKX invested $53M in South Korea’s Coinone.
— Token Metrics (@tokenmetricsinc) May 29, 2026
The deal signals a major push into the region. pic.twitter.com/blEJ5b3cNF
OKX and KIS Strengthen Presence in South Korea
The agreement marks one of the largest recent investments by a global crypto company into South Korea’s digital asset industry.
Coinone is one of South Korea’s five licensed digital asset trading platforms and ranks among the country’s leading crypto exchanges. The deal formalizes discussions that were previously reported by local media and signals growing confidence in South Korea’s regulated crypto market.
Following completion of the transaction, Coinone CEO Cha Myung hoon is expected to remain the company’s largest shareholder and retain management control. Com2uS Holdings and its affiliates will continue to hold a significant ownership position, while OKX Ventures and KIS will each hold 19.6%.
The investment structure was designed to maximize new capital flowing into Coinone through a combination of existing share purchases and newly issued stock.
Focus on Stablecoins and Tokenized Securities
Beyond the ownership change, the companies plan to collaborate on several strategic initiatives aimed at expanding South Korea’s digital asset ecosystem.
KIS said it intends to pursue opportunities related to tokenized securities (STOs) and stablecoins, areas that are gaining attention as South Korean lawmakers continue developing digital asset regulations.
The companies also plan to explore new financial products that combine traditional financial services with blockchain based infrastructure.
According to details released alongside the transaction, Korea Investment & Securities will share expertise in areas including:
- Internal controls
- Anti-money laundering systems
- Suspicious transaction monitoring
- Risk management frameworks
- Compliance procedures
These measures are intended to strengthen Coinone’s operational standards and improve trust in the platform.
OKX Sees Opportunity in South Korea’s Regulated Market
The investment gives OKX a stronger foothold in one of Asia’s most closely watched crypto markets.
The statement came from Netero Dai, Vice President of OKX Global Markets, who emphasized the company’s focus on regulated growth and long term infrastructure development.
Industry observers have compared the move to Binance’s earlier acquisition of Gopax, another South Korean crypto exchange, as global platforms seek regulated access to the local market.
Institutional Interest in Crypto Continues to Grow
The Coinone investment arrives amid a broader wave of institutional activity in South Korea’s crypto sector.
Recent months have seen major financial groups increase their exposure to digital assets. Samsung affiliates recently announced a significant investment in Upbit parent company Dunamu, while Mirae Asset revealed plans to acquire a controlling stake in Korbit.
Other major institutions, including KB Kookmin, Shinhan, and NHN KCP, have also participated in blockchain related projects involving tokenized deposits and stablecoin payment systems.
These developments are unfolding as policymakers continue work on the Digital Asset Basic Act, a comprehensive framework expected to shape the future of South Korea’s crypto industry.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my experience, the most important part of this deal is not the ownership percentages but the growing partnership between traditional finance and crypto infrastructure. I found it notable that Korea Investment & Securities is focusing on stablecoins, tokenized securities, compliance, and risk controls rather than simply making a financial investment.
This suggests South Korea’s financial sector is increasingly preparing for a future where blockchain based financial products become part of mainstream finance. If regulatory clarity improves, deals like this could become a blueprint for how banks, brokerages, and crypto exchanges work together in the years ahead.
