KIS and OKX Ventures inject 160 billion won into Coinone expands South Korea Seoul cryptocurrency exchange ownership under strict regulatory approval framework

South Korea’s crypto scene just got a serious jolt after Coinone announced it is set to receive a combined 160 billion won (about $106 million) investment from a powerful mix of domestic and international players.

The funding comes from Korea Investment & Securities and OKX Ventures, who together will acquire a 19.6% stake in the exchange—pending regulatory approval.

What makes the deal more interesting is how it blends fresh capital with secondary share purchases from existing stakeholders, reshaping ownership while keeping Coinone’s leadership structure intact.

CEO Myung-Hun Cha is still expected to remain the largest shareholder, meaning control of the platform stays firmly in current hands even as outside influence grows.

OKX Ventures Pushes Deeper Into Regulated Asian Markets

For OKX Ventures, this move is less about short-term returns and more about long-term positioning in tightly regulated regions.

South Korea is one of the strictest crypto markets in the world, where exchanges must meet high compliance, security, and licensing standards just to operate.

That makes entry difficult—but also valuable for firms that manage to get in.

By taking a stake in Coinone, OKX Ventures gains a direct foothold in a market where regulatory approval is often the real barrier to growth, not technology.

Meanwhile, KIS is expected to collaborate with Coinone on future projects involving security tokens and stablecoins, especially as South Korea continues shaping rules around tokenized finance.

South Korea Tightens Its Grip on Crypto Regulation

This investment doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s part of a bigger shift in South Korea’s financial system.

Since the introduction of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act in 2024, exchanges like Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, and Korbit have been operating under much stricter oversight.

The law introduced tougher anti-money laundering rules and tighter monitoring of crypto transactions, pushing exchanges to upgrade compliance systems quickly.

At the same time, regulators are already working on a second phase of legislation that will cover stablecoins and tokenized securities—areas expected to define the next stage of digital finance in the country.

Big Financial Groups Are Quietly Taking Over Crypto Stakes

The Coinone deal is not happening alone.

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South Korea’s traditional finance giants are slowly entering the crypto space through acquisitions and equity deals.

Earlier this year, Mirae Asset Consulting acquired a controlling stake in Korbit, signaling a long-term strategy to merge traditional finance with digital asset trading.

In another major move, Hana Financial Group announced plans to invest over 1 trillion won to secure a stake in Dunamu, the parent company of Upbit—South Korea’s largest crypto exchange.

Taken together, these deals show a clear pattern: big banks and securities firms are no longer watching from the sidelines.

Why This Deal Matters Beyond the Headlines

The Coinone investment is more than just another funding round—it signals a growing alignment between regulated finance and crypto platforms.

OKX Ventures gets access to a tightly controlled but highly valuable market.

KIS strengthens its position in digital asset innovation. And Coinone gets fresh capital to expand while staying compliant with evolving regulations.

It’s a balancing act between innovation and control, and South Korea is becoming one of the world’s most important testing grounds for that balance.

Impact and Consequences

This deal could accelerate consolidation in South Korea’s crypto sector.

Smaller exchanges may struggle to compete unless they secure backing from large institutional investors or global partners.

It also strengthens regulatory-compliant crypto infrastructure, which may attract more institutional money into the market over time.

However, increased institutional control could also reduce the “wild west” nature of crypto trading in South Korea, making the space more stable but less flexible for smaller players.

For global firms like OKX Ventures, this marks a strategic shift toward compliance-first expansion rather than rapid, unrestricted growth.

What’s Next?

The biggest immediate step is regulatory approval.

Until South Korean authorities sign off, the investment cannot be fully finalized.

If approved, Coinone may begin deeper collaboration with its new stakeholders, particularly in areas like stablecoins and tokenized assets.

More broadly, analysts expect additional partnerships between global crypto firms and South Korean financial institutions as regulation continues to mature.

There is also growing attention on how South Korea’s second-phase crypto laws will reshape the market once introduced.

Summary

Coinone is set to receive a $106 million investment from Korea Investment & Securities and OKX Ventures, marking one of the most significant crypto equity deals in South Korea this year.

The move highlights a broader trend of institutional and regulated finance entering the crypto sector, as South Korea tightens oversight and prepares new digital asset laws.

While approval is still pending, the deal signals a deeper merging of traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure in one of Asia’s most closely watched crypto markets.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Coinone is set to receive $106M investment from KIS and OKX Ventures
• The deal gives investors a 19.6% combined stake in the exchange
• CEO Myung-Hun Cha will retain majority control
• OKX Ventures expands its presence in regulated Asian crypto markets
• South Korea’s 2024 crypto law increased compliance requirements for exchanges
• Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, and Korbit now operate under stricter rules
• Major firms like Hana Financial Group and Mirae Asset Consulting are investing heavily in crypto platforms
• The sector is shifting toward institutional ownership and regulation-driven growth
• Approval from regulators is still required before the deal is finalized
• The move signals deeper integration between traditional finance and crypto in South Korea