After Exiting CFDs, Korea Investment & Securities Eyes Crypto Stake with Coinone Talks
South Korean brokerage Korea Investment & Securities is reviewing a potential stake in crypto exchange Coinone, according to local media reports and company comments. No agreement has been finalized. Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!) . The firm previously offered contracts for difference as part of KoreaтАЩs leveraged trading market but scaled back and suspended the product following tighter regulatory scrutiny after the 2023 South Korea CFD stock manipulation scandal. Since then, it has focused on listed products and global investment services rather than restarting a broad retail CFD business. Korea Investment & Securities currently provides domestic and global equities trading, exchange-traded derivatives, structured products, and wealth management services. Proposed 20% Cap Could Affect Coinone Citing people familiar with the matter, The Korea Herald reported that the brokerage has engaged with regulators and politicians as part of a broader process tied to a potential investment in Coinone. The exchange also said that no specific transaction had been decided. [#highlighted-links#] The development comes as S outh Korea considers a proposal to cap major shareholdersтАЩ stakes in domestic crypto exchanges at 20%. Cha Myung-hoon reportedly controls about 53.44% of Coinone, and a stake sale could become one way to comply if the proposal advances into law. Korea Investment & Securities explores 20% stake in Coinone as South Korean brokerages race for crypto exchange access? https://t.co/dIwKbm3St9 ?я╕П Benthic pic.twitter.com/9Xidq1meMb тАФ Leviathan News (@leviathan_news) April 3, 2026 Mirae Asset Targets Crypto with Korbit Deal A potential
South Korean brokerage Korea Investment & Securities is reportedly considering a potential stake in the crypto exchange Coinone, following its exit from contracts for difference (CFDs) amid regulatory scrutiny. The move comes as the firm seeks to expand its presence in the crypto market amid growing interest from other brokerages.
Korea Investment & Securities previously offered CFDs as part of Korea's leveraged trading market. However, the company scaled back and suspended the product after tighter regulatory scrutiny followed the 2023 South Korea CFD stock manipulation scandal. Since then, the brokerage has shifted its focus to listed products and global investment services, avoiding a broad retail CFD business. Currently, Korea Investment & Securities offers domestic and global equities trading, exchange-traded derivatives, structured products, and wealth management services.
Local media reports and company comments suggest that the brokerage is reviewing a potential stake in Coinone. No agreement has been finalized, but the development is part of a broader process involving engagement with regulators and politicians. The Korea Herald cited individuals familiar with the matter, indicating that the brokerage has been in discussions related to a potential investment in Coinone. The exchange itself has stated that no specific transaction has been decided.
This potential move comes as South Korea considers a proposal to cap major shareholders' stakes in domestic crypto exchanges at 20%. Cha Myung-hoon, who is reportedly the largest shareholder of Coinone with a 53.44% stake, could be compelled to sell a portion of his holdings if the proposal advances into law. A stake sale by Cha could provide a way to comply with the proposed regulations, and Korea Investment & Securities' interest in Coinone could be seen as a strategic move to secure a position in the crypto exchange market.
The potential deal would place Korea Investment & Securities alongside other brokerages already active in the crypto sector. Earlier this year, Mirae Asset Group acquired crypto exchange Korbit for $92 million through a subsidiary to comply with ownership regulations, adding exchange infrastructure to its offerings.
As South Korea's regulatory environment evolves, brokerages are increasingly turning their attention to the crypto market. The proposed 20% cap on major shareholders' stakes in domestic crypto exchanges could drive consolidation and attract new players, such as Korea Investment & Securities, to the sector. The potential stake in Coinone highlights the brokerage's strategic shift and its ambition to remain competitive in the dynamic financial landscape.
In conclusion, Korea Investment & Securities' potential stake in Coinone reflects a broader trend among South Korean brokerages to adapt to regulatory changes and capitalize on opportunities in the crypto market. The proposed 20% cap on major shareholders' stakes in domestic crypto exchanges could influence the structure of the industry, with brokerages like Korea Investment & Securities poised to play a role in shaping its future.
