OKX Ventures and Korea Investment & Securities (KIS) have officially confirmed the acquisition of a specific 19.6% stake each in the South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Coinone. The companies announced the deal on Friday, May 29, 2026, marking a major entry by a global crypto giant and a local powerhouse brokerage into Korea’s tightly regulated digital asset market. The total transaction is valued at 160 billion South Korean Won (KRW), or approximately $106 million USD.
Under the terms of the deal, OKX Ventures—the investment arm of the global exchange OKX—and Korea Investment & Securities will each invest 80 billion KRW (approximately $53 million). This combined capital injection will result in both entities holding individual 19.6% stakes in Coinone upon completion. The transaction involves a mix of secondary share purchases from current holders and the issuance of new shares to bolster the exchange’s capital position.
The deal occurs as competition for licensed platforms in East Asia remains high. Coinone is one of only five exchanges in the country legally authorized to offer fiat-to-crypto trading. While the new investors will become the joint third-largest shareholders, institutional investment in digital assets continues to reshape the landscape. Coinone CEO Myung-Hun Cha is expected to remain the largest shareholder with a 27.8% stake and will retain management control of the firm.
Expansion into tokenized finance and stablecoin infrastructure
The strategic rationale behind the deal varies for each participant. Korea Investment & Securities views the move as a bridge between traditional and digital finance. KIS CEO Kim Sung-hwan stated that the acquisition marks the firm’s “first step in expanding beyond traditional finance into blockchain-based digital financial services.” KIS plans to leverage Coinone’s platform to develop security token offerings (STOs) and stablecoin-related services as the government prepares new rules for tokenized assets.
For OKX, the move provides a compliant foothold in a market known for its strict oversight. Netero Dai, Vice President of OKX Global Markets, noted that South Korea is one of the world’s most advanced digital asset markets. He emphasized that the future of finance rests on “compliant, well-regulated infrastructure.” OKX intends to share its international market knowledge to help Coinone improve its security and risk management capabilities.
This partnership reflects a broader trend of large-scale capital flowing into exchange infrastructure. Analysts note that Bitcoin exchange supply maintains multi-year lows, making licensed trading hubs like Coinone even more valuable to institutional players. The deal remains subject to regulatory approval, which has become increasingly rigorous following the implementation of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act in 2024.
Compliance and the race for South Korean market dominance
The ownership structure of the deal may be designed with upcoming legislation in mind. South Korean regulators are currently discussing the Digital Asset Basic Act, which may propose ownership caps of 34% for corporate entities. By individual entities securing 19.6%, OKX Ventures and KIS remain well within potential future limits. This move follows other major plays in the region, including Mirae Asset Consulting’s acquisition of a 92.06% stake in Korbit for $93 million earlier this year.
The race for market share has accelerated recently with several high-profile deals. Hana Financial Group announced plans to invest $668 million for a stake in Dunamu, while three Samsung affiliates recently secured 4% of the same firm. These moves suggest that traditional financial institutions are no longer watching from the sidelines. As crypto liquidations rise alongside treasury yields in the global macro environment, the stability provided by established financial backers like KIS could provide Coinone with a significant competitive advantage over retail-focused rivals.
Following the acquisition, the shareholder structure will see Com2uS Holdings and its affiliates hold a 25% stake. By bringing in OKX’s technical expertise and KIS’s domestic financial reputation, Coinone aims to strengthen its investor protection frameworks. The exchange will continue to operate under South Korea’s strict Anti-Money Laundering requirements as it prepares for the next phase of legislative development involving stablecoins and tokenized securities.