Kiwoom eyes Bithumb stake as Korean brokerages push into crypto: Report
Summary
Kiwoom Securities is reportedly negotiating to buy a stake in Bithumb through a third-party share allotment, which would make it the latest South Korean traditional finance firm to seek crypto-exchange exposure. The move comes as South Korea prepares major market reforms, including a tokenized securities framework under amended capital markets laws due to fully take effect in 2027. Bithumb is one of the country’s largest exchanges by trading volume. The talks fit a broader wave of deals by Korean financial firms: Korea Investment & Securities and OKX Ventures invested in Coinone, Samsung-linked firms bought a stake in Dunamu, Hana Financial Group acquired more Dunamu shares, and Mirae Asset Consulting took control of Korbit.
