Kiwoom Securities is in discussions to purchase a stake in Bithumb through a third-party allotment of new shares. The move represents the latest push by traditional Korean finance into the cryptocurrency sector.
Regulatory reforms are accelerating this trend. The Financial Services Commission is preparing to announce a framework for tokenized securities in July. The amended Capital Markets Act and Electronic Securities Act are scheduled to take full effect on February 4, 2027, integrating tokenized securities into mainstream markets.
Bithumb remains one of South Korea’s largest exchanges by daily trading volume.
The negotiations follow a series of major entry moves. Korea Investment & Securities partnered with OKX Ventures to acquire a 19.6% stake in Coinone. Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS, and Samsung Card together bought a 4% stake in Dunamu, Upbit’s operator. Hana Financial Group acquired a 6.55% stake in Dunamu, and Mirae Asset Consulting secured a 92.06% controlling stake in Korbit.