Korean financial companies see digital assets as next-generation financial infrastructure but say regulatory overhaul is urgent for full-scale entry. At CIS2026 in Seoul, institutional investors cited regulatory gaps and shortcomings in custody, compliance and risk management as barriers. Executives said clearer rules are needed on eligible assets, market standards and responsibility in case of incidents. Panelists also pointed to tokenised securities, real-world assets and the spread of dollar-based stablecoins as key issues.

Hanwha Investment Securities unveiled a blueprint to develop its digital asset business into a next-generation investment platform. Executive director Son Jong-min said the firm will build a Digital Asset Platform to tokenise and trade assets, starting with private market assets. It plans to begin with high-net-worth and family office clients, then expand to the broader public. The company aims to launch the platform in the first quarter of 2027, initially in overseas markets where regulations allow.