South Korean brokerage Korea Investment & Securities (KIS) is reviewing a potential investment in crypto exchange Coinone, according to Korean media and company comments, though no deal has been finalized.
The Korea Herald, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that KIS has begun engaging regulators and politicians as part of a broader process linked to a possible stake in Coinone. Coinone said no specific transaction has been decided.
The discussions come amid a proposed government move to cap major shareholders’ stakes in domestic crypto exchanges at 20%. Under the plan reportedly agreed between the ruling party’s digital asset task force and the Financial Services Commission on March 4, exchanges would have three years from the law’s enforcement to adjust ownership structures. Coinone Chairman Cha Myung-hoon is said to control roughly 53.44% of the exchange, so a stake sale could be one path to comply if the cap becomes law; reports say he could still retain management control after any sale.
If KIS proceeded, it would join other major financial groups seeking positions in the sector. Mirae Asset Group agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Korbit earlier this year, and Naver Financial disclosed plans late in 2025 for an all-stock deal to acquire Dunamu, Upbit’s operator, though Naver later delayed its planned share swap amid regulatory review and falling volumes.
KIS has been cited as a credible candidate for a Coinone stake after reporting a net profit of over 2 trillion won (about $1.3 billion) in 2025, according to Hankyung. No binding agreements have been announced by either KIS or Coinone.
Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This article follows Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy; readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read the Editorial Policy at https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy