Why is Kiwoom Securities seeking a stake in Bithumb?

Kiwoom Securities is reportedly seeking a stake in Bithumb to expand into South Korea's digital asset market ahead of planned regulatory reforms. The reported transaction would involve a third-party allotment of new shares, while the Financial Services Commission is preparing a tokenised securities framework due to take full effect on 4 February 2027.

What does the reported Bithumb share issuance involve?

The reported share issuance would allow Kiwoom Securities to acquire newly issued shares in Bithumb through a third-party allotment. Neither company has confirmed the discussions, and no financial terms or ownership percentage have been disclosed.

How is South Korea changing its tokenised securities rules?

South Korea's Financial Services Commission is preparing reforms that will bring tokenised securities under the amended Capital Markets Act and Electronic Securities Act. The framework is scheduled to take full effect on 4 February 2027 and is intended to integrate blockchain-based investment products into the country's capital markets.

What are other South Korean financial firms investing in?

Several South Korean financial firms have recently invested in cryptocurrency businesses. Korea Investment & Securities and OKX Ventures agreed to invest 160 billion won (US$106 million) for a 19.6% stake in Coinone, while Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS and Samsung Card bought a combined 4% stake in Dunamu for US$408 million.

What does the reported Kiwoom and Bithumb deal mean for South Korea's crypto market?

The reported discussions between Kiwoom Securities and Bithumb indicate that traditional financial firms continue seeking exposure to cryptocurrency businesses before South Korea's new regulatory framework begins in 2027. If completed, the transaction would add to a series of investments by major financial institutions in local crypto exchanges.

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Kiwoom eyes Bithumb stake before Korean reforms

Written by Brie CarterPublished Jun 30, 2026, 2:45 AM

Kiwoom Securities is reportedly in talks to buy a stake in Bithumb through a new share issuance.
The reported deal would expand South Korean brokerages' exposure to cryptocurrency exchanges ahead of regulatory reforms.
The Financial Services Commission is preparing a tokenised securities framework that is due to take full effect in 2027.

Kiwoom Securities is reportedly negotiating to acquire a stake in Bithumb through a third-party allotment of new shares, adding to a growing push by South Korean financial firms into digital assets ahead of upcoming regulatory changes.

The reported talks come as South Korea's Financial Services Commission prepares to announce further reforms in July, including measures supporting tokenised securities before the amended Capital Markets Act and Electronic Securities Act take full effect on 4 February 2027.

Cointelegraph contacted Kiwoom Securities and Bithumb for comment, but neither company had publicly commented on the reported discussions.

If completed, the transaction would involve Bithumb issuing new shares to Kiwoom, while the FSC's planned framework is intended to bring tokenised securities under South Korea's capital markets regime and integrate blockchain-based investment products into existing financial infrastructure.

The reported discussions highlight increasing competition among South Korean brokerages to secure positions in the digital asset sector before the new regulatory framework is introduced, and as both Kiwoom Securities and Bithumb are privately held there was no share price reaction.

The latest report follows Korea Investment & Securities and OKX Ventures agreeing in May to invest 160 billion won (US$106 million) for a 19.6% stake in Coinone, while Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS and Samsung Card acquired a combined 4% stake in Dunamu, the operator of Upbit, for US$408 million.

Earlier this year, Hana Financial Group agreed to acquire a 6.55% stake in Dunamu for more than US$668 million, while Mirae Asset Consulting agreed to purchase a 92.06% stake in Korbit for US$93 million as South Korea's financial sector continued expanding into cryptocurrency businesses.