Dunamu, the operator of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, has secured a landmark strategic investment of approximately 1 trillion won ($730 million) from Hana Bank, a subsidiary of Hana Financial Group. Through the deal, Hana Bank acquires a 6.55% stake in Dunamu, becoming its fourth-largest shareholder — marking the first time a major Korean commercial bank has taken a large-scale equity position in a domestic cryptocurrency exchange.
Founded in 2012, Dunamu has grown beyond crypto trading to build a broad digital asset ecosystem encompassing blockchain infrastructure, token securities (STO), and overseas digital asset markets. The company’s top shareholders prior to this transaction included chairman Song Chi-hyung (25.51%), vice chairman Kim Hyung-nyeon (13.10%), and Woori Technology Investment (7.20%). The shares in this deal were sold as secondary stock by existing investor Kakao Investment, with the transaction set to close on June 15, 2026.
Dunamu has simultaneously signed a strategic MOU with Hana Financial Group, outlining a wide-ranging collaboration roadmap. The two companies plan to jointly develop infrastructure for a Korean won-denominated stablecoin, covering the full cycle of issuance, distribution, and circulation. Dunamu will also expand its blockchain-based overseas remittance service built on its proprietary Giwha Chain technology, replacing traditional SWIFT transfers — a pilot of which has already been successfully completed with Hana Bank. Further cooperation is planned in the token securities (STO) sector, combining Dunamu’s technology and liquidity with Hana Securities’ platform, alongside joint entry into global digital asset markets using Hana Financial’s extensive international network.
With this deal, Dunamu cements its position as a central player bridging South Korea’s traditional financial sector and the emerging digital asset industry, as it pushes toward becoming a globally competitive blockchain and crypto ecosystem leader.
