OKX Ventures acquired approximately 20% of South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Coinone, becoming a joint third-largest shareholder. The investment arm of global crypto exchange OKX took the minority position alongside Korea Investment & Securities, one of South Korea's largest brokerage firms. Earlier reports stated OKX Ventures and Korea Investment & Securities each invested about 80 billion won, roughly $53 million, for stakes of approximately 19.6% in Coinone, while more recent Korean reporting confirmed OKX had been added as a new shareholder with a 20% equity stake. The transaction was structured through a combination of secondary share purchases from existing shareholders and subscriptions for newly issued shares. South Korea operates one of the world's most active and tightly regulated digital asset markets, requiring exchanges to maintain banking partnerships, real-name account systems, and anti-money-laundering controls under the country's virtual asset service provider regime.
OKX Ventures and Korea Investment & Securities Become Joint Third-Largest Shareholders
After the deal, Coinone founder and chief executive Cha Myunghun remains the largest shareholder and retains management control. Com2uS Holdings and its affiliates remain the second-largest shareholder group, while OKX Ventures and Korea Investment & Securities become joint third-largest shareholders. The transaction structure combined secondary share purchases from existing shareholders with subscriptions for newly issued shares.
Coinone is one of South Korea's major crypto exchanges, though it remains smaller than market leader Upbit. The new capital and strategic partnerships are intended to support upgrades to trading infrastructure, compliance systems, custody, wallet services, and institutional products. Korean reports stated Coinone plans to combine OKX's global trading and infrastructure capabilities with Korea Investment & Securities' traditional finance expertise.
Coinone Gains Access to OKX Infrastructure and Traditional Finance Expertise
The investment gives OKX a direct foothold in South Korea, a market known for deep retail participation, high trading intensity, and strict licensing requirements. For OKX, buying into Coinone offers exposure to a licensed domestic platform without attempting to build a standalone Korean exchange from scratch. South Korean regulation has made direct offshore competition difficult.
The involvement of Korea Investment & Securities broadens the strategic value of the deal. The brokerage has shown interest in stablecoin-related services and tokenized securities, two areas South Korean policymakers are preparing to regulate more actively. Coinone could become a bridge between licensed crypto trading and emerging regulated digital asset products.
For Coinone, the investment improves its competitive position against larger domestic rivals by bringing in both international crypto infrastructure and domestic securities-market expertise. For OKX, it strengthens the company's Asian regulatory strategy at a time when global exchanges are increasingly seeking compliant local entry points rather than relying only on offshore platforms.
South Korea's Digital Asset Regulatory Framework Shapes Exchange Consolidation
The transaction comes as South Korea moves toward a more formal digital asset framework covering investor protection, exchange governance, stablecoins, and tokenized finance. That regulatory shift is likely to favor exchanges with stronger capital bases, compliance infrastructure, and institutional partners.
The deal reflects a broader industry trend in which large crypto firms are moving beyond pure exchange competition toward equity stakes, strategic partnerships, and regulated infrastructure plays. In markets where licensing is difficult, minority ownership in local platforms can provide market access, regulatory credibility, and long-term optionality.
The immediate market impact is unlikely to be visible in token prices because Coinone is privately held and the transaction is a strategic equity investment rather than a new tradable product. The longer-term significance lies in market structure, as South Korea's exchange sector becomes more connected to global crypto capital and traditional finance balance sheets.
FAQ
What stake did OKX Ventures acquire in Coinone?
OKX Ventures acquired approximately 20% of South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Coinone, becoming a joint third-largest shareholder alongside Korea Investment & Securities.
How much did OKX Ventures and Korea Investment & Securities invest in Coinone?
Earlier reports stated OKX Ventures and Korea Investment & Securities each invested about 80 billion won, roughly $53 million, for stakes of approximately 19.6% in Coinone. More recent Korean reporting confirmed OKX had been added as a new shareholder with a 20% equity stake.
Who are the largest shareholders in Coinone after the transaction?
After the deal, Coinone founder and chief executive Cha Myunghun remains the largest shareholder and retains management control. Com2uS Holdings and its affiliates remain the second-largest shareholder group, while OKX Ventures and Korea Investment & Securities become joint third-largest shareholders.
