OKX Ventures Invests $53M for 19.6% Stake in Coinone
May 29, 2026 — OKX Ventures, the investment arm of crypto exchange OKX, is acquiring a 19.6% stake in South Korean exchange Coinone for 80 billion won ($53 million), pending regulatory approval. Korea Investment & Securities (KIS) will make an identical investment for the same stake, creating a combined 160 billion-won ($106 million) deal that positions both firms as joint third-largest shareholders in one of Korea’s major digital asset platforms.
Immediate Details & Direct Quotes
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The transaction involves both secondary share purchases from existing Coinone shareholders and subscriptions for newly issued shares, according to a company statement released Friday. The deal formalizes discussions first reported by Yonhap earlier this month about OKX and KIS considering roughly 20% stakes in the exchange.
Following the investment, Coinone CEO Cha Myunghun will remain the exchange’s largest shareholder with a 27.8% stake and retain management control. Com2uS Holdings and its affiliates will hold 25%, while OKX Ventures and KIS become joint third-largest shareholders.
The investment marks one of the largest recent capital infusions by a global crypto firm into Korea’s digital asset sector, signaling continued international interest in the Asian crypto market despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny.
Market Context & Reaction
As of May 29, 2026, the deal positions Coinone to leverage OKX’s global exchange expertise and KIS’s established brokerage network as it pushes into stablecoin products and tokenized securities. The strategic partnership could help Coinone expand its service offerings beyond traditional spot trading, though specific product timelines were not disclosed.
The investment comes amid heightened competition among Korean exchanges, with Upbit and Bithumb dominating domestic trading volumes. Market reaction details from other industry players were not immediately available.
The transaction requires regulatory approval from South Korean authorities, which have maintained strict oversight of crypto exchanges since the implementation of the Specific Financial Information Act requiring virtual asset service provider registration.
Background & Historical Context
Coinone has operated as one of South Korea’s licensed crypto exchanges since 2017, maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. The exchange has historically focused on spot trading services for major cryptocurrencies.
OKX Ventures has made several strategic investments in Asian crypto infrastructure over the past two years, targeting exchanges, wallet providers, and DeFi protocols. KIS, one of South Korea’s largest securities firms, has been gradually expanding its digital asset exposure through partnerships and equity stakes.
The deal structure involving both secondary and primary share issuance suggests Coinone is raising capital for growth initiatives rather than providing an exit for existing shareholders.
What This Means
For Coinone users, the capital injection could accelerate product development in stablecoins and tokenized securities, potentially offering new trading instruments and yield opportunities on the platform.
The partnership with KIS may facilitate regulatory compliance and institutional adoption, given KIS’s established relationships with Korean financial regulators.
OKX’s international trading infrastructure could help Coinone improve its technology stack and liquidity provision, though the extent of operational integration remains unclear pending regulatory approval.
The deal signals continued investor appetite for regulated exchange equity, even as crypto markets experience periodic volatility and shifting regulatory landscapes across Asia.