OKX and Korea Investment & Securities Reportedly Eye 40% Stake in Coinone Exchange

OKX is reportedly working with Korea Investment and Securities, a Seoul based investment bank, on a plan to acquire a stake in Coinone, one of South Korea’s major cryptocurrency exchanges. According to local reports, the two firms are discussing a combined purchase of around 40% of Coinone.

Under the proposed structure, each party would take approximately a 20% stake. The investment is expected to be carried out through newly issued shares rather than buying existing holdings, which would inject fresh capital directly into the exchange.

Coinone remains one of South Korea’s key trading platforms alongside Upbit, Bithumb, and CoinW, operating in a tightly regulated but highly active crypto market.

Institutional Push Signals Growing Crypto Competition in Korea

OKX, originally founded in 2013 and now headquartered in San Jose, has been expanding its global footprint. A potential entry into South Korea would follow similar moves by other major exchanges.

Market Trend of Exchange Consolidation

The plan mirrors earlier expansion efforts by competitors such as Binance, which entered the Korean market through its acquisition of Gopax. The involvement of traditional financial players like Korea Investment and Securities also highlights increasing cooperation between crypto firms and established finance institutions.