Korea Investment & Securities wants in. The major South Korean brokerage is eyeing a potential stake in cryptocurrency exchange Coinone, according to local financial reports that surfaced this week.
No deal’s done yet. Sources close to the discussions say both companies are still talking, but nothing’s been signed or finalized. The timing isn’t random – South Korea’s parliament is debating new rules that could force major crypto exchange shareholders to cut their holdings down to 20% maximum. Coinone’s biggest owner, Cha Myung-hoon, currently holds about 53.44% of the exchange. That’s way over the proposed limit. A stake sale to Korea Investment & Securities could help Coinone get ready for these potential new regulations before they hit.
Why Traditional Finance Wants Crypto
The move makes sense financially. Korea Investment & Securities pulled in over $1.3 billion in net profit last year, giving it plenty of cash to make big moves. The brokerage already shifted its strategy after getting burned in the contracts for difference market following a 2023 scandal that brought heavy regulatory heat.
And Korea Investment & Securities isn’t alone in this crypto push. Mirae Asset Group bought rival exchange Korbit for $92 million earlier this year, basically announcing that traditional finance companies are serious about digital assets now. These deals show how South Korean financial firms are scrambling to grab pieces of the crypto market while regulations are still getting sorted out.
The regulatory landscape keeps shifting. Securities token rules in South Korea are evolving fast, and companies that don’t adapt risk getting left behind. Korea Investment & Securities probably sees Coinone as a way to get crypto exposure without building everything from scratch.
Coinone’s been around since 2014. It’s one of the bigger players in South Korea’s domestic crypto scene, handling decent trading volumes and serving as a major on-ramp for Korean investors getting into digital assets.
The 20% Cap Problem
Here’s the thing about that 20% ownership cap proposal. If it passes, Cha Myung-hoon will have to sell off a huge chunk of his Coinone holdings. He owns more than half the company right now.
That creates an opportunity. Korea Investment & Securities could swoop in and buy a meaningful stake while helping Coinone comply with new rules. It’s basically a win-win if the deal goes through.
But regulatory uncertainty makes everything murky. Nobody knows for sure if the 20% cap will actually become law or when it might take effect. Both companies are probably waiting to see what lawmakers decide before committing to anything concrete. This development aligns with Australia Forces Crypto Exchanges to Get, highlighting broader market trends.
The Korean crypto market has been wild lately. Regulatory changes keep coming, and exchanges are trying to figure out how to stay compliant while keeping their business models intact. Traditional financial companies see this chaos as a chance to get in while valuations might still be reasonable.
Neither Korea Investment & Securities nor Coinone responded to requests for comment about the potential deal. Sources familiar with the talks say discussions are ongoing but declined to share specifics about timing or deal structure.
The financial community is watching closely. If Korea Investment & Securities pulls off a Coinone stake purchase, other brokerages might follow with their own crypto exchange investments. The Mirae Asset-Korbit deal already showed there’s appetite for these partnerships.
Coinone faces strategic choices here. Selling a stake to a traditional financial firm could bring stability and regulatory expertise, but it might also mean giving up some independence in how the exchange operates.
Market dynamics are shifting fast in South Korea’s crypto sector. As of April 2026, exchanges are dealing with evolving compliance requirements while trying to maintain growth. The proposed ownership caps are just one piece of a broader regulatory overhaul that’s reshaping how crypto companies operate in the country.
Korea Investment & Securities’ strong financial position gives it flexibility to make big moves. The $1.3 billion profit from 2025 shows the brokerage has resources to invest in growth opportunities, even in volatile sectors like crypto. This echoes themes explored in Ripple Brings RLUSD Stablecoin to South, underscoring the shifting landscape.
The talks between Korea Investment & Securities and Coinone could drag on for months. Regulatory clarity will probably determine whether both sides can agree on terms that work for everyone involved.
Korea Investment & Securities joins a broader trend of traditional financial institutions pursuing crypto partnerships globally. Major banks and brokerages across Asia have announced similar digital asset initiatives throughout 2026, with regulatory frameworks in Japan and Singapore providing clearer pathways for institutional crypto adoption.
The potential Coinone acquisition represents more than regulatory compliance – it’s about market positioning. Korea Investment & Securities would gain immediate access to Coinone’s established user base and trading infrastructure, assets that would take years to develop independently. Coinone processed over $2.8 billion in monthly trading volume as of late 2025, making it an attractive target for traditional finance firms seeking instant crypto market presence.
Post Views: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the proposed 20% ownership cap about?
South Korea is considering new rules that would limit any single shareholder in a crypto exchange to owning no more than 20% of the company.
How much of Coinone does Cha Myung-hoon currently own?
Cha Myung-hoon holds approximately 53.44% of Coinone, which is well above the proposed 20% limit.
