Samsung Invests $408 Million in Upbit Operator Dunamu

Samsung divisions acquire $408M stake in Dunamu, the operator of Upbit, as South Korea prepares for new STO and stablecoin regulations.

According to local media reports, a deal worth approximately 612.8 billion won ($408 million) highlights the aggressive positioning of Asian financial and tech giants for the next phase of regulated digital assets.

Three divisions—Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS, and Samsung Card—will acquire a total of roughly 1.39 million shares from funds linked to Kakao, including Kakao Ventures and Kakao Investment. The transaction is scheduled to officially close on June 19.

The purchase price of approximately 439,250 won per share places the corporate valuation of Dunamu at roughly 15.3 trillion won, or about $11.1 billion. This solidifies Upbit’s standing as the dominant player in the South Korean crypto industry at a time when institutional capital is flooding into the sector.

Upbit controls over 80% of local crypto trading volume, making Dunamu a strategic asset for banks, brokers, and tech firms seeking exposure to digital assets ahead of South Korea’s new “Digital Asset Basic Act.”

Samsung Targets STOs, AI, and Stablecoin Infrastructure

This deal is far from a passive investment; it represents a direct strategic move toward the future infrastructure of digital finance.

Samsung Securities is acquiring a 2% stake and plans to collaborate with Dunamu on Security Token Offerings (STO) and virtual asset management services. South Korea is expected to open its regulatory framework for tokenized securities in the coming months, potentially making the country one of Asia’s largest STO markets.

Samsung SDS, the group’s technology and cloud division, is buying a 1% stake with a focus on integrating AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain infrastructure. The company has already secured a key contract to build the Korea Securities Depository’s new blockchain platform, set for launch in 2027.

Samsung Card is also acquiring 1% and intends to integrate Dunamu’s crypto infrastructure into Monimo, the financial app by Samsung Financial Networks. This project is closely tied to future regulations regarding stablecoins denominated in South Korean won.

Analysts view the move as a signal that Samsung is preparing for a future where crypto assets, stablecoin payments, and tokenized securities are integrated directly into mainstream financial applications.

South Korea Enters a New Phase of Crypto Competition

The deal arrives as the institutional race for Dunamu stakes accelerates sharply.

Earlier this month, Hana Bank announced the purchase of a 6.55% stake in the company for approximately 1 trillion won. Hanwha Investment & Securities also increased its holding to 9.84%, becoming one of the largest institutional shareholders outside of the founders.

Meanwhile, Kakao has been gradually reducing its exposure to Dunamu. Local media reports indicate that Kakao has sold assets worth nearly $1.5 billion in recent weeks.

Market observers interpret these shifts as a transfer of control from early tech investors to traditional financial institutions and conglomerates.

Dunamu’s financial performance further justifies this institutional interest. The company reported a net profit of 708.8 billion won on revenue of 1.56 trillion won for 2025, ranking it among the most profitable crypto firms in Asia.

South Korean institutions no longer view the crypto sector as a speculative niche. Instead, they are treating it as essential financial infrastructure—spanning tokenized assets, AI integration, stablecoin payments, and digital banking ecosystems.

Samsung’s deal with Dunamu may stand as one of the most significant signals yet that Asia’s traditional corporate giants are entering the battle for the future of digital finance.