Samsung affiliates Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS, and Samsung Card are acquiring a combined 4% stake in Dunamu, the parent company of South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit.
The three companies approved the acquisition during board meetings on May 28, agreeing to purchase 1.39 million Dunamu shares from a Kakao affiliate for $450 million. The stake distribution includes 2% for Samsung Securities and 1% each for Samsung SDS and Samsung Card.
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The acquisition follows Hana Bank’s announcement just two weeks ago that it was taking a 6.55% stake in Dunamu for roughly $670 million.
Samsung’s Three-Way Digital Asset Play
Under the deal’s structure, Samsung Securities will hold a 2% stake, while Samsung SDS and Samsung Card will each hold 1%.
Samsung said the investment is designed to strengthen its position in emerging digital asset businesses tied to Korean won stablecoins, tokenized securities, and blockchain-based payments.
Samsung Securities plans to collaborate with Dunamu on tokenized securities issuance and digital asset-based investment products. The company also intends to expand virtual asset-related financial services alongside the exchange operator.
Samsung SDS, the group’s IT and cloud services arm, said it will integrate its artificial intelligence, cloud, cybersecurity, and data management capabilities with Dunamu’s blockchain infrastructure expertise.
Meanwhile, Samsung Card is exploring future digital asset payment integrations through “Monimo,” Samsung Financial’s integrated mobile platform. The firm said it plans to cooperate with Dunamu on digital asset payment systems and distribution infrastructure tied to potential Korean won stablecoins.
A Samsung official said the investment is intended to “strengthen the competitiveness of digital asset-related businesses across Samsung affiliates” through cooperation with Dunamu.
Operated by Dunamu, Upbit is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume and has historically played a major role in altcoin liquidity and price discovery, particularly in Asia.
Korea’s Institutional Crypto Shift
The transaction comes as South Korea moves closer to expanding regulated digital asset services, including discussions around local stablecoins and tokenized financial products.
South Korea remains one of the strongest retail crypto trading markets globally, with local exchanges often influencing regional market sentiment and trading activity.
Why This Matters
Samsung and Hana Bank buying stakes in Dunamu highlights how traditional Korean finance and technology giants are moving deeper into crypto infrastructure. Deeper institutional backing of Upbit could reinforce its role in global altcoin liquidity and price discovery.
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People Also Ask:
Dunamu is the South Korean company that operates Upbit, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume.
The three Samsung affiliates are positioning for business opportunities in tokenized securities, Korean Won stablecoins, and digital asset payments as South Korea’s regulatory framework evolves.
Tokenized securities are traditional financial assets, such as stocks or bonds, issued and traded using blockchain technology.
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