Why is Samsung Securities investing in Dunamu?

Samsung Securities said the investment is aimed at strengthening its position in the digital asset sector. By acquiring a stake in Dunamu, the company gains exposure to South Korea’s largest crypto exchange business.

How much is Samsung Securities paying for its Dunamu stake?

Samsung Securities will invest about 306.3 billion won, or roughly $221.9 million, for a 2% stake in Dunamu. The deal covers 697,487 shares and is expected to close on June 19.

Why is Dunamu considered a valuable crypto investment?

Dunamu owns Upbit, which dominates South Korea’s crypto trading market by volume. That market position gives institutional investors exposure to one of the world’s most active retail crypto ecosystems.

What does this investment say about institutional interest in crypto?

The investment highlights growing participation from traditional financial institutions in digital assets. Major Korean financial firms increasingly view crypto infrastructure companies as strategic long-term investments rather than speculative side businesses.

How does this deal compare with Hanwha Investment’s move into Dunamu?

Earlier this year, Hanwha Investment & Securities said it planned to increase its Dunamu holdings to 9.84% through an additional $433.2 million investment. Together, the deals suggest rising competition among traditional finance firms for crypto market exposure.

Why are traditional financial firms buying stakes in crypto companies instead of launching exchanges themselves?

Buying into established crypto firms provides immediate market access, trading infrastructure and regulatory positioning. It can also reduce operational risks compared with building a crypto platform from scratch.

How important is Upbit to South Korea’s crypto market?

Upbit is the leading crypto exchange in South Korea by trading volume. The platform plays a major role in the country’s retail crypto trading activity and broader digital asset market infrastructure.

Could this investment help legitimise crypto in South Korea?

Yes. Investments from firms like Samsung Securities can strengthen perceptions that digital assets are becoming part of mainstream finance. Institutional participation may also encourage broader adoption among conservative investors and financial institutions.

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Samsung Securities buys $222M stake in Dunamu

Written by Jon CuthbertPublished May. 28 2026

Samsung Securities said it will acquire a 2% stake in Dunamu, the parent company of Upbit, for approximately 306.3 billion won ($221.9 million).

The company said the transaction covering 697,487 shares is scheduled to close on June 19 as Samsung Securities expands its presence in the digital asset sector.

The investment is intended to strengthen synergies between traditional securities services and cryptocurrency-related business opportunities, according to the company’s public filing.

The deal will make Samsung Securities one of Dunamu’s institutional shareholders alongside Hana Bank as South Korea’s financial sector increases exposure to crypto infrastructure companies.

The investment followed a separate disclosure in May from Hanwha Investment & Securities, which said it planned to increase its Dunamu holdings to 9.84% through an additional 597.8 billion won ($433.2 million) share purchase.

Upbit remains the dominant cryptocurrency exchange in South Korea by trading volume, making Dunamu a strategic target for traditional financial firms seeking exposure to the country’s active retail crypto market.

The latest investment also highlighted growing institutional acceptance of digital assets in South Korea, although regulatory oversight remains a key issue as authorities continue refining cryptocurrency market rules and compliance standards.