OKX Targets South Korea Entry With Proposed 20% Coinone Investment
Global exchange OKX is reportedly seeking to acquire a in South Korean exchange Coinone alongside Korea Investment & Securities, in what could become one of the most significant foreign-linked investments in the countrys digital asset sector in years. According to industry sources, the two firms are discussing plans to each acquire roughly 20% of Coinone through a capital raise structured around newly issued shares rather than purchases from existing shareholders. The approach would inject fresh capital into the exchange while avoiding immediate changes to management control. Coinone is currently controlled by a group of domestic shareholders led by The One Group, which holds a 34.3% . Other major shareholders include Com2uS Holdings, Com2uS Plus, and Coinone founder and CEO Cha Myung-hoon, who also controls The One Group. While the proposed investment is being framed primarily as a financial partnership, market observers believe OKX could eventually seek a more strategic role in the business. If that were to happen, it would represent only the second notable attempt by a major overseas exchange to gain influence over a Korean won-based trading platform, following Binances investment in Gopax parent company Streami. The discussions come as South Korea reassesses its approach to digital asset regulation. Policymakers and regulators