South Korean brokerage Korea Funding & Securities (KIS) is reviewing a possible stake in crypto trade Coinone, in response to Korean media stories and firm feedback, although no deal has been finalized.
Citing folks aware of the matter, the Korea Herald reported that KIS began participating with regulators and politicians as a part of a broader course of tied to a possible funding in Coinone. Coinone additionally stated no particular transaction had been determined.
The information comes as South Korea considers a proposal to cap main shareholders’ stakes in home crypto exchanges at 20%, a transfer that might pressure possession adjustments throughout elements of the sector if enacted. Coinone Chairman Cha Myung-hoon reportedly controls about 53.44% of the trade, that means a stake sale may grow to be one method to adapt if the proposed cap advances into legislation.
The transfer would place KIS alongside its rival, Mirae Asset Group, which agreed to accumulate a controlling stake in crypto trade Korbit, in response to a February submitting. KIS recorded a web revenue of over 2 trillion gained (about $1.3 billion) in 2025, making it a robust candidate for a possible stake acquisition in Coinone, Hankyung reported.
South Korea strikes to cap crypto trade possession at 20%
The potential deal unfolds as South Korea strikes to reshape possession buildings in its crypto trade market.
On March 4, the South Korean authorities and ruling occasion agreed on a plan to cap possession stakes of main shareholders in native exchanges at 20%. Based on Herald Financial system, the Democratic Celebration of Korea’s digital asset job pressure and the Monetary Providers Fee (FSC) agreed to set the utmost shareholding restrict at 20% after discussions.
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Beneath the proposal, exchanges would have three years from the legislation’s enforcement to regulate their possession buildings if the measure is handed.
With Cha holding greater than half of Coinone, the proposed cap may ultimately require him to cut back his stake. The Herald stated he may nonetheless retain administration management even when a sale proceeds.
The reported talks comply with different latest strikes by main South Korean corporations to safe positions within the crypto sector.
In late 2025, Naver Monetary disclosed plans for a roughly $10.3 billion all-stock deal to accumulate Dunamu, the operator of Upbit. On March 30, Naver Monetary delayed its deliberate share swap with Dunamu, as regulatory opinions continued and buying and selling volumes declined.
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