Seoul talks with the Ethereum Foundation, securities firms and card companies highlighted domestic-led policy and infrastructure development as South Korea prepares rules for won-backed stablecoins, security tokens and broader tokenized assets.
Ethereum Korea and Optimism used meetings in Seoul to argue that South Korea should build its digital-asset industry around domestic expertise while deepening ties with financial institutions as the country moves to formalize rules for won-backed stablecoins and security tokens. At an Ethereum Korea luncheon in Yeouido on July 21, Nonce Classic chief executive officer Kang Yu-bin said the consortium is acting as a bridge between policymakers, the local industry and the global Ethereum ecosystem. Adrian Li, the Ethereum Foundation’s head of policy for Asia Pacific, said South Korea’s digital-asset industry should be led by experts in the country, with the foundation providing support rather than direction. Optimism said it sees strong potential in South Korea and will expand cooperation with local companies and institutions, including work tied to GiwaChain, DB Securities’ Jeju Island-focused security-token project and Toss’s proof-of-concept activity on a won-backed stablecoin. A separate closed-door Seoul meeting hosted by @ethereumkoreaio ahead of Ethereum’s flagship conference in September included the Ethereum Foundation and leaders from Korea’s financial sector, including securities firms and card companies. The newer report said Ethereum hosts about $25 billion in tokenized assets, underscoring why traditional-finance engagement is being closely watched for policy and product development.