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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="binance-returns-to-south-korea-p-binance-is-returning-to-south-korea-nearly-five-years-after-exiting-the-market-in-december-2020-following-the-financial-intelligence-units-fiu-approval-of-its-acquisition-of-gopax-one-of-only-five-local-exchanges-authorized-to-provide-crypto-to-fiat-services-p-figure-class-wp-block-image-alignleft-size-full-is-resized-img-width-772-height-502-src-https-s3-magazine-cointelegraph-com-magazine-wp-content-uploads-2025-10-kaiko-research-south-korean-exchanges-jpg-alt-south-korea-s-exchange-duopoly-dominated-by-upbit-and-bithumb-class-wp-image-49293-style-width-100-height-auto-figcaption-class-wp-element-caption-em-upbit-and-bithumb-have-control-about-99-of-south-koreas-crypto-market-source-em-a-href-https-research-kaiko-com-reports-the-state-of-the-korean-crypto-market-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-em-kaiko-em-a-figcaption-figure-p-according-to-a-maeil-business-newspaper-a-href-https-www-mk-co-kr-news-stock-11442869-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-exclusive-a-the-fiu-granted-final-approval-on-wednesday-ending-more-than-two-years-of-uncertainty-over-binances-reentry-the-exchange-a-href-https-cointelegraph-com-news-binance-re-enters-south-korea-with-gopax-exchange-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-acquired-a-majority-stake-in-gopax-in-2023-a-but-the-deal-stalled-amid-regulatory-scrutiny-and-a-href-https-cointelegraph-com-news-sec-sues-binance-in-us-district-court-for-unregistered-securities-operations-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-binances-legal-troubles-in-the-us-a-p-p-the-return-of-the-worlds-largest-cryptocurrency-exchange-could-shake-up-south-koreas-long-standing-a-href-https-cointelegraph-com-magazine-plus-token-ether-fud-crypto-king-asia-express-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-duopoly-of-upbit-and-bithumb-a-under-the-countrys-crypto-regulations-exchanges-must-partner-with-a-domestic-bank-to-offer-real-name-verified-accounts-though-the-system-is-designed-to-strengthen-anti-money-laundering-and-know-your-customer-compliance-it-has-made-market-entry-difficult-for-newcomers-p-p-the-approval-also-comes-during-a-turbulent-week-for-binance-the-company-faced-a-href-https-cointelegraph-com-news-19b-crypto-market-crash-leverage-china-tariffs-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-backlash-over-an-oracle-malfunction-a-that-critics-allege-triggered-a-19-billion-liquidation-cascade-during-a-sharp-market-downturn-binance-has-denied-that-its-technical-glitch-was-the-root-cause-of-the-mass-liquidation-event-but-committed-to-a-283-million-compensation-campaign-p-div-class-container-a-href-https-servedbyadbutler-com-go2-id-169476-size-728x90-setid-601214-referrer-https-3a-2f-2fcointelegraph-com-2fmagazine-2fwp-json-2fwp-2fv2-2fposts-3f_embed-26per_page-3d100-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-img-src-https-servedbyadbutler-com-adserve-id-169476-size-728x90-setid-601214-referrer-https-3a-2f-2fcointelegraph-com-2fmagazine-2fwp-json-2fwp-2fv2-2fposts-3f_embed-26per_page-3d100-type-img-alt-binance-shakes-up-korea-morgan-stanley-s-security-tokens-in-japan-asia-express-a-div-div-class-container-a-href-https-servedbyadbutler-com-go2-id-169476-size-300x250-setid-601213-referrer-https-3a-2f-2fcointelegraph-com-2fmagazine-2fwp-json-2fwp-2fv2-2fposts-3f_embed-26per_page-3d100-rel-noopener-noreferrer-nofollow-img-src-https-servedbyadbutler-com-adserve-id-169476-size-300x250-setid-601213-referrer-https-3a-2f-2fcointelegraph-com-2fmagazine-2fwp-json-2fwp-2fv2-2fposts-3f_embed-26per_page-3d100-type-img-alt-binance-shakes-up-korea-morgan-stanley-s-security-tokens-in-japan-asia-express-a-div">Binance returns to South Korea<p>Binance is returning to South Korea nearly five years after exiting the market in December 2020, following the Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) approval of its acquisition of Gopax one of only five local exchanges authorized to provide crypto-to-fiat services.</p><figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><img width="772" height="502" src="https://s3.magazine.cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kaiko-Research-South-Korean-exchanges.jpg" alt="South Korea's exchange duopoly dominated by Upbit and Bithumb" class="wp-image-49293" style="width: 100%;height:auto"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Upbit and Bithumb have control about 99% of South Koreas crypto market. Source: </em><a href="https://research.kaiko.com/reports/the-state-of-the-korean-crypto-market" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><em>Kaiko</em></a></figcaption></figure><p>According to a Maeil Business Newspaper <a href="https://www.mk.co.kr/news/stock/11442869" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">exclusive</a>, the FIU granted final approval on Wednesday, ending more than two years of uncertainty over Binances reentry. The exchange <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/binance-re-enters-south-korea-with-gopax-exchange" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">acquired a majority stake in Gopax in 2023</a>, but the deal stalled amid regulatory scrutiny and <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-sues-binance-in-us-district-court-for-unregistered-securities-operations" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Binances legal troubles in the US</a>.</p><p>The return of the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange could shake up South Koreas long-standing <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/plus-token-ether-fud-crypto-king-asia-express/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">duopoly of Upbit and Bithumb</a>. Under the countrys crypto regulations, exchanges must partner with a domestic bank to offer real-name verified accounts. Though the system is designed to strengthen Anti-Money Laundering and Know Your Customer compliance, it has made market entry difficult for newcomers.</p><p>The approval also comes during a turbulent week for Binance. The company faced <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/19b-crypto-market-crash-leverage-china-tariffs" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">backlash over an oracle malfunction</a> that critics allege triggered a $19 billion liquidation cascade during a sharp market downturn. Binance has denied that its technical glitch was the root cause of the mass liquidation event, but committed to a $283 million compensation campaign.</p><div class="container"><a href="https://servedbyadbutler.com/go2/;ID=169476;size=728x90;setID=601214;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fcointelegraph.com%2Fmagazine%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%3F_embed%26per_page%3D100" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><img src="https://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=169476;size=728x90;setID=601214;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fcointelegraph.com%2Fmagazine%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%3F_embed%26per_page%3D100;type=img" alt="Binance shakes up Korea, Morgan Stanley’s security tokens in Japan: Asia Express"></a></div><div class="container"><a href="https://servedbyadbutler.com/go2/;ID=169476;size=300x250;setID=601213;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fcointelegraph.com%2Fmagazine%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%3F_embed%26per_page%3D100" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><img src="https://servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=169476;size=300x250;setID=601213;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fcointelegraph.com%2Fmagazine%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%3F_embed%26per_page%3D100;type=img" alt="Binance shakes up Korea, Morgan Stanley’s security tokens in Japan: Asia Express"></a></div></h2><h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="top-japanese-banks-new-token-platform">Top Japanese banks new token platform</h2><p>Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities has launched a new digital asset division focused on blockchain-based finance and introduced a retail platform for tokenized investments as its flagship service.</p><p>The new division <a href="https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000019.000116777.html" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">has</a> begun handling bond-type security tokens and plans to expand into tokens backed by real estate.</p><p>Its a consolidated subsidiary of Japans largest bank by total assets, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. A consolidated subsidiary is one in which the parent group holds a controlling stake in this case 60% and fully includes its financial results in group-wide reports. The other 40% is owned by Morgan Stanley in the US.</p><figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img width="846" height="283" src="https://s3.magazine.cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/MUFG-total-assets-top-50-Asian-Banks-SP-Global.jpg" alt="A list shows the top 10 Asia Pacific banks by total assets, cropped from top 50" class="wp-image-49296"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The largest bank in Japan and the fifth-largest in Asia has opened a digital assets division. (</em><a href="https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2025/4/asiapacifics-50-largest-banks-by-assets-2025-88395558" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><em>S&amp;P Global</em></a><em>)</em></figcaption></figure><p>The move aligns with the banking giants broader strategy to integrate blockchain-based assets into mainstream finance. The group has already been expanding into Web3 through initiatives involving stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and asset tokenization via its Progmat platform.</p><p>Theres been a wider institutional shift toward Web3 among <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/alibaba-founder-ethereum-push-south-korea-whales-91-asia-express/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Japans traditional finance and corporate giants</a>. Nomura Group, Japans largest investment banking and brokerage conglomerate, said its Switzerland-based digital asset arm Laser Digital is in talks with local regulators to apply for a license to serve institutional crypto investors.</p><p>Elsewhere, SoftBanks payment platform recently announced it had acquired a 40% stake in Binance Japan, while SBIs joint venture with Ripple is developing a <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/japan-tours-xrp-ledger-usdc-usdt-payments-grab-asia-express/%5C" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">payment system on the XRP Ledger</a> for the nations booming tour industry.</p><div class="article-suggest"><div class="article-suggest__title display3"> Read also </div><div class="article-suggest__items"><div class="article-suggest__item"><a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/solana-vs-ethereum-etfs-facebook-influence-bitwise-hunter-horsley/" class="article-suggest__subtitle display4" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><span>Features</span><p>Solana vs Ethereum ETFs, Facebook’s influence on Bitwise: Hunter Horsley</p></a></div><div class="article-suggest__item"><a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/dummies-guide-to-native-rollups-l2s-as-secure-as-ethereum-itself/" class="article-suggest__subtitle display4" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><span>Features</span><p>What are native rollups? Full guide to Ethereum’s latest innovation</p></a></div></div></div><h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="crypto-franchises-buy-out-local-exchanges-to-expand">Crypto franchises buy out local exchanges to expand</h2><p>Some of the worlds largest exchanges are deepening their presence in emerging markets. While earlier expansion efforts often involved setting up local operations from scratch, the new strategy now centers on acquiring or investing in already licensed exchanges as seen in Binances return to South Korea through its purchase of Gopax.</p><figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img width="910" height="1024" src="https://s3.magazine.cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Exchanges-expansion-coinbase-hashkey-910x1024.jpg" alt="Press announcement of HashKey and Hata's partnership on top of Coinbase's investment in CoinDCX" class="wp-image-49290" style="width: 100%;height:auto"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> Exchanges are betting on licensed locals instead of setting up shop themselves. (HashKey/Coinbase) </figcaption></figure><p>Coinbase, the largest US-based exchange by trading volume, also follows this model. The company announced Wednesday that it <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/coinbase-invests-in-indian-crypto-exchange-coindcx-at-2-45b-valuation" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">invested in Indias CoinDCX</a>, valued at around $2.45 billion. Coinbase has been eyeing a return to India after scaling back operations in 2022 due to regulatory hurdles and payment processing restrictions. CoinDCX, meanwhile, expanded into Dubai with its acquisition of BitOasis in July 2024.</p><p>The same blueprint is emerging in Hong Kong. On Tuesday, HashKey <a href="https://group.hashkey.com/en/newsroom/hashkey-exchange-signs-mou-with-hata-to-deepen-expansion-in-southeast-asia" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">announced</a> a partnership with Malaysian exchange HATA to deepen its expansion into Southeast Asia. The move follows OSLs recent acquisition of <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/avalanche-deal-with-etf-giant-yuan-stablecoin-fake-news-asia-express/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Indonesias licensed exchange Koinsayang</a>. HashKey and OSL are Hong Kongs first two licensed cryptocurrency service providers.</p><p>In contrast, regulators across Asia are intensifying crackdowns on unlicensed exchanges. In late May, Thai authorities blocked access to Bybit, OKX, and several others for <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/thailand-blocks-okx-bybit-crypto-exchanges" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">operating without local approval</a>. Soon after, the Philippines issued warnings to ten exchanges <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/philippines-sec-warns-okx-bybit-kucoin-kraken-unregistered" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">for the same reason</a>. Even Singapore, often viewed as a regional crypto hub, <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/singapore-crypto-shelter-elsewhere" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">expelled unlicensed firms</a> earlier this year.</p><div class="article-suggest"><div class="article-suggest__title display3"> Read also </div><div class="article-suggest__items"><div class="article-suggest__item"><a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/bitcoiner-arthur-hayes-doesnt-care-btc-price-predictions-wrong/" class="article-suggest__subtitle display4" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><span>Features</span><p>Arthur Hayes doesnt care when his Bitcoin predictions are totally wrong</p></a></div><div class="article-suggest__item"><a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/how-the-crypto-workforce-changed-in-the-pandemic/" class="article-suggest__subtitle display4" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><span>Features</span><p>How the crypto workforce changed in the pandemic</p></a></div></div></div><h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="yonsei-alumni-association-introduces-crypto-payments-for-membership-fees">Yonsei alumni association introduces crypto payments for membership fees</h2><p>South Koreas Yonsei Universitys alumni association has <a href="https://www.yonsein.net/member.php?mid=m10_14" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">introduced</a> a system that allows members to pay fees in cryptocurrency. Alumni can now pay both regular and special membership fees using Bitcoin, USDT or USDC.</p><p>The universitys alumni association said it adopted the new payment option to make international transfers more convenient for overseas alumni.</p><figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img width="640" height="427" src="https://s3.magazine.cointelegraph.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Yonsei-university-alumni-association.jpg" alt="Yonsei University campus covered in plants. " class="wp-image-49299" style="width: 100%;height:auto"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Yonsei is famed both for its academic prestige and its frequent appearances in Korean dramas. (</em><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/ivy-covered-building-on-a-college-campus-5L74LhqWBZ0" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><em>Janet Ganbold</em></a><em>)</em><br></figcaption></figure><p>For graduates of top universities like Yonsei, participation in the alumni network is often considered a valuable social and professional asset.</p><p>In South Korea, alumni associations play a significant role in professional networking, career advancement and social status. Membership fees help fund alumni events, student scholarships and university programs, but they also reinforce meaningful connections that often carry weight in professional networks.</p><p>Yonsei is one of South Koreas most prestigious private universities and part of the so-called SKY trio (Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University) whose alumni dominate the countrys elite circles, including top government posts and leadership roles in major conglomerates.</p><p>Blockchain data shows that someone has already <a href="https://etherscan.io/address/0x6947c7418faccede84c3625ef40d5cb03dc8c997" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">paid</a> $315 in USDC to the alumni associations Ethereum wallet.</p><p>In 2025, South Korea eased rules to phase in <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/seagate-chia-japan-bitcoin-investor-stake-asia-express" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">institutional crypto participation</a>, starting with certain nonprofit entities, including universities, to sell or convert cryptocurrencies.</p><div class="subscribe subscribe--inner"><div class="container"><div class="subscribe__inner"><div class="subscribe__content"><div class="subscribe__title display2"> Subscribe </div><div class="subscribe__desc text-l"> The most engaging reads in blockchain. 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Binance shakes up Korea, Morgan Stanley’s security tokens in Japan: Asia Express

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