Key Takeaways:
- Three Samsung affiliates acquire 4% of Dunamu for $408 million
- Samsung Securities takes 2% as Samsung SDS and Card each take 1%
- Deal positions Samsung ahead of South Korea's tokenized securities framework
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Samsung units buy $408M stake in Dunamu as crypto regulation nears
Three Samsung affiliates agreed to buy a 4% stake in Dunamu, the operator of South Korea's largest crypto exchange Upbit, for 612.8 billion won ($408 million), local media reported Thursday.
"Samsung Securities plans to cooperate with Dunamu on tokenized securities issuance and distribution, as well as digital asset services," a Samsung official said, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Samsung Securities will acquire a 2% stake, while Samsung SDS and Samsung Card will each take 1%, purchasing 1.39 million shares from Kakao-affiliated investment vehicles. The transaction follows Hana Financial Group's $668 million acquisition of a 6.55% Dunamu stake on May 15, bringing total disclosed institutional investment in the exchange operator to more than 2.2 trillion won in less than a month.
The investment positions Samsung affiliates across both regulated tokenized securities infrastructure and private-sector crypto exchange rails, ahead of South Korea's tokenized securities framework set to take effect Feb. 4, 2027. Samsung SDS earlier in May won a contract to build the Korea Securities Depository's blockchain-based securities platform.
Samsung Card is expected to explore digital asset payment use cases through Samsung Financial Networks' Monimo app, as South Korea prepares rules for won-denominated stablecoins. The Financial Services Commission said in January that key details, including stablecoin issuer structures, had not been finalized.
The deal extends a pattern among Korean financial conglomerates. Korea Investment Holdings has acquired a stake in Coinone, and Mirae Asset has moved to acquire a 92% controlling interest in Korbit. Upbit has commanded roughly two-thirds of domestic spot trading volume, making Dunamu one of the most valuable exchange companies globally.
From Dunamu's perspective, bringing Samsung into the cap table replaces venture-style Kakao investors with three operating companies that bring distribution, technology, and regulatory relationships. The partnership spans blockchain-based financial products, payment infrastructure, and AI-powered services.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
[1] Samsung Units To Buy $408M Stake In Upbit Operator Dunamu: Report[2] Samsung units take $408M stake in Upbit operator Dunamu: Report[3] Samsung Invests $408M in Dunamu as South Korea’s Crypto Market Heats Up[4] Samsung units to buy $408 million stake in South Korea’s biggest crypto exchange[5] Samsung trio to acquire $408 million stake in crypto giant Dunamu from Kakao
