Upbit operator Dunamu taps Optimism Foundation to build GIWA Chain as first self-managed enterprise L2
Dunamu, the Seoul-based fintech company behind South Korea‘s dominant crypto exchange Upbit, has tapped the Optimism Foundation to underpin and scale its GIWA Chain using the OP Stack and integrate it into Optimism’s OP Enterprise framework. Unveiled last September, GIWA Chain is an Ethereum layer 2 blockchain focused on improving usability and accessibility in web3. The network delivers fast performance with one-second block times, supports existing Ethereum-based development through EVM compatibility, and benefits from continuous upgrades via the open-source ecosystem led by the Optimism Foundation. The chain is already live on testnet, with nearly 100 million transactions processed as of May 3, and is expected to launch on mainnet soon. Under a non-binding memorandum of understanding between Dunamu and the Optimism Foundation. GIWA Chain is expected to become the first deployment on the Self-Managed tier of OP Enterprise, a framework built for operators seeking full control over their blockchain environment. In this structure, Upbit will control the primary sequencer and all core network decisions, while Optimism provides institutional-grade support, including system monitoring and a backup sequencer for failover. “Operating our own GIWA Chain is a strategic move for Upbit. Our goal is to provide institutional and retail users with a level of performance and compliance consistent