The platform aims to give U.S. investors access to South Korean stocks around the clock, while tokenized shares are being reviewed as a way to cut settlement times and bypass trading-hour mismatches.
Kakao Pay Securities is preparing to launch its K-Stock Global Gateway in the United States in the first half of next year with Seibert Financial, seeking to make South Korean stocks easier for U.S. investors to access. The plan is built around demand from American retail investors interested in Korean companies but held back by limited market access and information. A key option under review is stock tokenization, which could allow 24-hour trading and near real-time settlement. Shin Ho-cheol, Chief Executive Officer of Kakao Pay Securities, said Seibert is leading the review of tokenized shares, while Kakao Pay Securities is assessing whether such a structure fits South Korean rules and is in talks with financial authorities. He said tokenized stocks could ease trading-hour constraints and improve efficiency, though risks including market volatility and investor protection mean the timing will depend on domestic and overseas regulations. Seibert, a Nasdaq-listed brokerage in which Kakao Pay holds about a 20% stake, signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with Kakao Pay Securities in May. The proposed platform is set to combine Korean stock brokerage through a U.S. securities firm with Kakao Pay Securities' investment content, user interface and user experience features, and investor community services.