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As Excitement for First US Spot Bitcoin ETF Intensifies, South Korea Still Faces Mountain to Climb

Policy & Regulation·October 25, 2023, 8:35 AM

The price of bitcoin has surged significantly as it recorded an 18% increase in the past week, spurred by mounting anticipation surrounding the US’ first spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) propelled by asset management juggernauts BlackRock and Fidelity Investments — a threshold that had not been crossed in over a year. According to CoinMarketCap, bitcoin is trading in the upper $33,000 range as of 5 p.m. KST on Wednesday.

Photo by André François McKenzie on Unsplash

 

Ongoing buildup

The approval of a spot bitcoin ETF — long rejected or delayed due to a plethora of reasons like the volatility of cryptocurrencies and their susceptibility to market manipulation — would in the long run open up the possibility for institutions to earmark bitcoin as a major asset that can be integrated into the sphere of traditional finance. This would make bitcoin easier to handle and increase its exposure to traditional investors. “The mere possibility of this development marks a significant shift in the market landscape,” said an unnamed executive at a Korean asset management company in a news article by South Korean news outlet Maeil Business Newspaper.

BlackRock’s spot bitcoin ETF, the iShares Bitcoin Trust, was also listed on the US Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC)’s website with the ticker symbol IBTC on Monday before it mysteriously disappeared the following day. It has since been relisted on the website. The listing is “all part of the process of bringing ETF to market”, as explained by Bloomberg’s senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday.

 

Is a spot bitcoin ETF on the table for Korea?

However, Korean experts believe that there are still numerous hurdles to overcome in order for a spot bitcoin ETF to settle in Korea. In particular, some question whether cryptocurrency platforms that offer custodial services can even be classified as exchanges. There is also the issue of bitcoin’s varying prices across different exchanges. Its current price on Upbit, the country’s largest crypto exchange, is in the KRW 45.9 million range as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Local financial authorities have reportedly expressed skepticism about bitcoin ETFs for these reasons, suggesting a murky future for this development becoming a reality in Korea.

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Web3 & Enterprise·

Oct 10, 2023

NEOPIN and MEVerse Join Hands to Expand Blockchain Ecosystem

NEOPIN and MEVerse Join Hands to Expand Blockchain EcosystemCentralized decentralized finance (CeDeFi) protocol provider NEOPIN said Tuesday that it has teamed up with MEVerse, the blockchain mainnet operated by gaming company ME2ON Group, to expand the global blockchain ecosystem and optimize the accessibility and functionality of their respective platforms.Photo by Gerd Altmann on PixabayPromoting blockchain worldwideBoth parties have agreed to collaborate on integrating their platforms to build a global user base consisting of those who have completed necessary verification procedures like Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML). They will also support each other’s global partner networks, contributing to service enhancement and ecosystem expansion. NEOPIN has also vowed to introduce MEVerse to its global user community.“Initiating the integration of NEOPIN and MEVerse platforms, we are poised to play an active role in fostering the growth and widespread adoption of the blockchain ecosystem. This includes the enduring fusion of blockchain technology with Korean content.” said Ethan Kim, CEO of NEOPIN.Collaborative synergyMEVerse possesses various blockchain infrastructures, including the Web3 P2E casual game portal MEVerse GameZ, non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace MEVerse DEX, blockchain explorer MEVerse Scan, and more. The platform said that it is currently in the process of establishing a borderless Web3 ecosystem by boosting compatibility with its mainnet ecosystem and leveraging cross-chain technology.“MEVerse’s strengths lie in its possession of a wide range of blockchain platforms and content, from its blockchain mainnet to the Web3 gaming ecosystem and Korean content,” Kim commented.Meanwhile, NEOPIN has accumulated knowledge and expertise on blockchain operations during its time as a node validator for various blockchain networks such as Ethereum and Cardano since 2017. Last year, the platform launched its CeDeFi protocol, providing a secure and user-friendly DeFi platform.“We are thrilled to partner with NEOPIN, a pioneer in the DeFi sector. Through tangible integration examples, we look forward to facilitating user engagement and cultivating an expanded Web3 ecosystem,” said Jong-ho Hong, CEO of MEVerse.

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Web3 & Enterprise·

Apr 07, 2023

Fobl Partners with KDAC to Store Part of Customers’ Assets in Custody

Fobl Partners with KDAC to Store Part of Customers’ Assets in CustodyKorean non-fiat cryptocurrency trading platform Fobl announced on Tuesday that it has teamed up with Korea Digital Asset Custody (KDAC) to provide enhanced customer protection.©Pexels/Savvas StavrinosKDAC, backed by Shinhan Bank, has been providing virtual asset custody services to businesses seeking safe asset management.Collaboration plans between Fobl and KDACWith the partnership, the two sides will store a portion of Fobl customers’ assets in custody, build a systematic process for custody of projects’ virtual assets and their pre-disclosures, and seek out new business opportunities in the Korean security token market.Fobl’s potential transformation to fiat exchangePreviously, it was reported that Fobl is set to face a comprehensive inspection next week from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC).This move from the FIU suggests that Fobl may soon become a fiat crypto exchange in the near future, as the financial regulator has announced that it will first inspect non-fiat exchanges that are preparing to allow fiat trading.

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Web3 & Enterprise·

Aug 08, 2023

Upbit Seeks Recruits for Program to Foster Digital Asset Investment Culture

Upbit Seeks Recruits for Program to Foster Digital Asset Investment CultureUpbit, South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced Monday that it is recruiting participants for its second Up!To program, aimed at cultivating a robust digital asset investment culture and leading the era of Web3.Empowering students in the Web3 eraTouting the slogan “Build Your Own Block,” the program will involve various activities, including creating content related to digital assets and investor protection, producing and uploading promotional materials, generating ideas for Upbit’s services, and attending Upbit’s offline events.Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash“Through Up!To, university students will gain a comprehensive understanding of digital assets and blockchain,” said Lee Hae-bung, head of the Upbit Investor Protection Center.Program detailsThe program will kick off with the inauguration ceremony on September 18, to be followed by three months of participation and activities. Along with a welcome kit and a designated stipend, participants will also get the chance to be educated and trained in the field of digital assets.Teams that show the most outstanding performance will be awarded a prize of 5 million KRW (approximately $3,800), and runner-up participants will receive a prize of 3 million KRW. A select few will also get the opportunity to intern at Upbit. The total quota for the program has been expanded to 30 — an increase from 20 participants last year.Any university students — excluding those set to graduate in February next year — who are interested in digital assets are eligible to apply. Applications can be submitted from August 7 to August 25 on the Upbit Investor Protection Center website. Final acceptance notifications will be sent via email on September 11.

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