8 Korean Banks Unite to Launch Won-Backed Stablecoin

June 27, 2025

Catenaa, Thursday, June 26, 2025-Eight of South Korea’s largest banks have joined forces to create a won-pegged stablecoin, marking the nation’s first commercial bank-led initiative in digital assets. The consortium includes KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, Nonghyup, Industrial Bank of Korea, Suhyup, Citibank Korea and SC First Bank. Announced Wednesday, the initiative is backed by the […]

Bank of Korea Explores Blockchain Deposit Tokens

June 1, 2025

Catenaa, Sunday, June 01, 2025-The Bank of Korea is weighing a plan to connect central bank-issued deposit tokens with public blockchain networks, signaling a major policy shift in its approach to digital currency innovation and financial sovereignty. Deputy Governor Lee Jong-ryeol announced the proposal Tuesday at the Blockchain Leaders Club event in Seoul, calling the […]

Bithumb Reports $110M Profit in 2024, Eyes 2025 IPO

April 6, 2025

Catenaa, Sunday, April 06, 2025-South Korean crypto exchange Bithumb reported a $110 million net profit for 2024, marking a five-fold increase from the previous year. The surge comes amid a strong crypto market and growing institutional adoption in the U.S.  According to local media reports, Bithumb’s sales nearly tripled as bitcoin prices soared. The profit […]

Critics Slam South Korean Regulators Over Upbit Sanctions

March 9, 2025

Catenaa, Saturday, March 08, 2025-South Korean regulators’ sanctions against Upbit, the country’s leading crypto exchange, have drawn strong criticism for being ineffective. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) issued a three-month business suspension to Dunamu, the operator of Upbit, following revelations that the exchange facilitated nearly 45,000 virtual asset transfer transactions with 19 unreported, overseas-based operators.  […]

Dunamu Triples Dividends Amid Profit Surge, Faces Scrutiny

April 8, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, April 08, 2025-Dunamu, the parent company of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit has announced a threefold increase in dividends for common shareholders following a sharp rise in its annual profits. During the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Friday, it was revealed that Dunamu would distribute a dividend of 8,777 Korean won ($5.99) […]

Hyundai, Trump Announce $21B US Investment, New Steel Plant

March 25, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, Mach 25, 2025-Hyundai Motor Group revealed a $21 billion investment in the US alongside President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, marking a significant expansion of its American manufacturing presence. The investment includes a $5.8 billion Hyundai Steel plant in Louisiana, projected to produce 2.7 million metric tons of steel annually […]

Korean Stocks Surge on President Lee’s Stablecoin Push

July 1, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, July 01, 2025-South Korean equity markets soared this week after newly elected President Lee Jae-myung pledged strong support for won-backed stablecoins, triggering investor euphoria across crypto-linked stocks. The Kospi index surged nearly 30 percent year-to-date, marking its best performance in four years and positioning it as Asia’s top-performing market for the first half […]

New Korean Supercapacitor Could Charge Phones in Seconds, Not Hours

May 15, 2025

Catenaa, Monday, May 19, 2025-South Korean scientists have developed a breakthrough supercapacitor that could drastically reduce charging times for consumer devices, potentially replacing traditional batteries in smartphones and electric vehicles. Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) created a composite supercapacitor using single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) combined with a conductive polymer called […]

One in Four South Koreans Own Crypto, Survey Finds

February 19, 2025

Catenaa Tuesday, February 18, 2025- A new survey reveals that 25% of South Koreans now own cryptocurrency, with many investors seeking short-term profits. The survey, conducted by Hashed Open Research, surveyed 2,000 individuals aged 20 to 69. Of those, 507 people (25%) reported they are currently investing in crypto. The survey also found that interest […]

S. Korea Set to Approve Tokenized Securities Legislation

June 14, 2025

Catenaa, Saturday, June 14, 2025- South Korea’s National Assembly is poised to approve legislation that would legalize tokenized securities, enabling domestic companies to issue blockchain-based tokens tied to assets like real estate, raw materials, livestock, and copyrighted works. Two bills proposing the formal regulation of security token offerings (STOs) are currently before the National Assembly’s […]

S. Korea to Launch Crypto Crime Unit Amid Rising Fraud 

January 29, 2025

Catenaa, Wednesday, January 29, 2025 – South Korean prosecutors will formally establish a dedicated crypto crime unit aimed at tackling digital asset fraud, market manipulation, and other illicit activities, according to local reports.  The Joint Investigation Unit (JIU) for Virtual Asset Crimes, currently operating as a temporary task force, will be officially upgraded to a […]

South Korea Backs Spot Crypto ETFs Pre-Election

May 9, 2025

Catenaa, Friday, May 09, 2025-South Korea ruling People Power Party has pledged to legalize spot crypto exchange-traded fund trading and broaden banking access for crypto exchanges by year’s end, marking a high-stakes play for digital asset voters ahead of the June 3 presidential election. The conservative party outlined seven crypto-focused initiatives during a meeting last […]

South Korea Central Bank Rules Out Bitcoin Reserves

March 17, 2025

Catenaa, Monday, March 17, 2025-The Bank of Korea (BOK) confirmed Sunday it has no plans to include bitcoin in its foreign exchange reserves, citing volatility and International Monetary Fund (IMF) guidelines.  Responding to a National Assembly inquiry, the central bank said bitcoin’s price fluctuations could lead to high transaction costs when converting it into cash. […]

South Korea Crypto Shift May Shake Up Banks

May 17, 2025

Catenaa, Saturday, May 17, 2025- South Korea plans to deregulate cryptocurrency exchanges could significantly impact the nation’s banking industry, particularly for K Bank, which has strong ties to the exchange market leader Upbit. Reports from the Financial Post suggest that the Democratic Party (DP), South Korea’s largest political party, is considering scrapping the current fiat […]

South Korea Launches ‘Hangang’ CBDC Pilot in April

March 19, 2025

Catenaa, Wednesday, March 19, 2025- South Korea’s central bank will begin a large-scale pilot of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) project, named “Hangang,” in April, testing digital payments with 100,000 citizens and seven major banks.  The Bank of Korea (BOK) announced the three-month trial, running through June, to evaluate whether tokenized deposits can streamline […]

South Korea Launches Crypto Crime Unit to Fight Scams

March 2, 2025

Catenaa, Sunday, March 02, 2025-South Korea prosecution service has officially launched a specialized unit to combat crypto-related crime, including scams and fraud, amid rising concerns over digital asset fraud. The Joint Investigation Unit (JIU) for Virtual Asset Crimes, which had operated temporarily since 2023, is now formalized and will function with greater independence. The unit, […]

South Korea May Approve Bitcoin ETF After Japan’s Move

March 8, 2025

Catenaa, Saturday, March 08, 2025-South Korea regulators may move closer to approving Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) if Japan gives the green light to similar investment products, according to a new report.  The Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) have been closely monitoring Japan’s approach to Bitcoin ETFs, Maeil Kyungjae reported Tuesday. […]

South Korea Opens Crypto to Foreigners, With Rules

April 13, 2025

Catenaa, Sunday, April 13, 2025-South Korea Financial Services Commission (FSC) is exploring a policy shift that could allow foreign investors to access the country’s Crypto market, provided local exchanges meet stringent anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Kim Sung-jin, head of the FSC’s virtual asset division, expressed support for permitting overseas participation in South Korea’s crypto ecosystem […]

South Korea Plans Crypto ETFs, STO Approvals by 2025

January 10, 2025

Catenaa, Friday, January 10, 2024- The Korea Exchange (KOSDAQ) is considering approving crypto spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in 2025, its chairman, Jeong Eun-bo, announced at the 2025 Securities and Derivatives Market Opening Ceremony. The move aims to revitalize South Korea’s financial markets after political turmoil dampened investor confidence.  Jeong emphasized benchmarking global cases to introduce […]

South Korea Plans Spot Crypto ETF Approval by 2025

June 23, 2025

Catenaa, Monday, June 23, 2025-South Korea top financial regulator has submitted a detailed plan to approve spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs), signaling a possible end to the nation’s long-standing ban on such products by late 2025. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) presented the roadmap to the Presidential Committee on Policy […]

South Korea Reveals 3-Phase Plan for Corporate Crypto

February 15, 2025

Catenaa, Saturday, February 15, 2025 – South Korea financial regulator will roll out a phased plan allowing corporations to trade cryptocurrencies, marking a significant regulatory shift aimed at balancing innovation with financial safeguards.  The Financial Services Commission (FSC) announced the initiative following a Virtual Asset Committee meeting Wednesday, detailing a gradual integration of businesses into […]

South Korea, EU Unite vs North Korea Crypto Theft

May 23, 2025

Catenaa, Friday, May 23, 2025- South Korea and the European Union have agreed to strengthen cyber cooperation, specifically targeting cryptocurrency theft attributed to North Korean hacking groups, officials announced Tuesday. The decision follows a high-level policy dialogue held in Seoul, where both sides identified Pyongyang’s illicit cyber activities as a growing threat to global financial […]

South Korean Banks Compete for Crypto Exchange Deals

February 22, 2025

Catenaa, Saturday, February 22, 2025 – South Korean banks are ramping up efforts to strike partnerships with the nation’s top cryptocurrency exchanges as regulators prepare to allow firms to invest in digital assets, a move expected to fuel significant market growth. According to local media reports, banks are closely monitoring Upbit, South Korea’s largest crypto […]

South Korean P2P Lender CEO Accused of Using Funds for Crypto

February 6, 2025

Catenaa, Wednesday, February 05, 2025 – The CEO of a prominent South Korean peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform is facing accusations of embezzlement after allegedly using client funds for personal cryptocurrency investments. The accusations come from an investor who backed a real estate project with the CEO in 2018. According to reports from NBN Media, the […]

South Koreans Hold Record $73.4B in Crypto After Trump Surge

April 26, 2025

Catenaa, Saturday, April 26, 2025-South Koreans are holding a record $73.4 billion in cryptocurrency, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). The total crypto market capitalization on domestic exchanges surpassed 100 trillion won ($73.4 billion) in December 2024, marking a significant increase from the $41 billion held just two months earlier. The surge came in […]

Trump Says Unilateral Tariff Rates Will Be Set In Two Weeks

June 12, 2025

Catenaa, Thursday, June 12, 2025- President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the letters will be sent to the trading partners in the next week or two, setting unilateral tariff rates. “At a certain point, we’re just going to send letters out. And I think you understand that, saying this is the deal, you can […]

Two-Thirds of South Koreans Plan More Crypto Buys Amid Stablecoin Push

June 30, 2025

Catenaa, June 29, 2025- A majority of South Korean adults plan to increase their cryptocurrency investments, as President Lee Jae Myung’s administration pushes ahead with a regulatory framework to legalize won-based stablecoins. A survey by the Hana Financial Research Institute found that 70% of respondents aged 20 to 59 expect to buy more crypto in […]

World Vision Sells ETH After Korea Lifts Ban

June 15, 2025

Catenaa, Sunday, June 15, 2025-South Korean NGO World Vision Korea became the first institution to sell cryptocurrency following the government’s phased lifting of a ban on institutional crypto trading. Under new rules from South Korea’s Financial Services Commission, non-profit organizations can now sell cryptocurrencies received as donations. Last week World Vision Korea sold 0.55 Ethereum, […]