private equity
The Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) is set to establish a definitive boots-on-the-ground presence in Japan, taking a significant step in the $232 billion sovereign wealth fund's regional strategy. Led by President Park Il-young, the fund’s move to open a Tokyo branch in early
payments
Travel Wallet’s formal entry into the Japanese market takes the localized South Korean FinTech into the realm of a highly competitive environment against legacy banks over cross-border FX. By exporting its proprietary payment rails to Tokyo, the firm is signaling that its ambitions lie in becoming a foundational
cybersecurity
RaonSecure, a leader in cybersecurity and authentication, announced that its biometric authentication platform, TouchEn Onepass, has surpassed 10 million Monthly Active Users (MAU) in the Japanese market. TouchEn Onepass is a cloud-based identity verification service that replaces traditional passwords and certificates with biometric data, including fingerprint, facial, and vein
payments
DG Financial Technology (DGFT) has officially launched a strategic initiative to bolster South Korean cross-border e-commerce (EC) by providing critical payment infrastructure for merchants targeting the Japanese market. Through a partnership with Eximbay, a leading South Korean global payment service provider, DGFT will now offer PayPay’s online
growth capital
Funds Inc., the operator of the fixed-yield investment platform "Funds," has launched its first South Korean-linked vehicle: the Baree Mobility EC Fund #1. This marks a significant milestone for the Tokyo-based FinTech firm as it accelerates its push to become a premier global platform for
stablecoin
At the end of October, the Bank of Korea (BOK) published a report regarding the opportunities, risks, and necessary policy responses surrounding the potential introduction of a Won-pegged stablecoin (SC) in Korea. Titled "Currency in the Digital Era: Harmony of Innovation and Trust," the report adopts a
corporate venture capital
Habit Factory, a Seoul, South Korea-based AI-driven fintech company, has raised KRW 35 billion in Series D funding. The round was led by Z Venture Capital (ZVC) and Smilegate Investment, with participation from Industrial Bank of Korea, IBK Venture Investment, Kolon Investment, KB Investment, and Shinhan Venture Investment.
korea
The Seoul FinTech Week 2025 Conference took place on Monday, September 29, 2025, and was live streamed via YouTube. We summarize our key takeaways, as well as some of the insights gathered from the individual sessions. Top 10 Takeaways from Seoul FinTech Week 2025 1. AI is the Undisputed Core
tokenization
SBI Digital Markets has successfully launched its first tranche of luxury wine structured notes in Korea and Thailand, with an exclusive selection of fine wines acquired directly from prestigious chateaus in Bordeaux and Burgundy, France, and Piedmont, Italy. The notes were fully subscribed in Korea by Kyobo Life Insurance and
corporate venture capital
Sumitomo Life has made an investment in EverEx through its CVC fund "SUMISEI INNOVATION FUND", operated by SBI Investment. Background of the Investment Sumitomo Life aims to provide services that contribute to customers' well-being through WaaS (Well-being as a Service), centered on the Vitality health
venture capital
SMBC Nikko Securities will make a strategic investment in Fund 3 established by Hashed Venture, a global blockchain-focused venture capital firm. In March 2020, SMBC Nikko Securities established the "Nikko Open Innovation Lab (NOIL)" as a new business development division, and has been exploring new business models
crypto
Korean blockchain infrastructure company DSRV has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan's Next Finance Tech (NFT). Through this agreement, both companies plan to jointly pursue blockchain infrastructure business across Asia, starting with the Japanese market. DSRV will provide infrastructure services in Japan including node operation,