IOSG Weekly Brief｜Cryptocurrency Marketing Ecosystem Research: Focus on the Korean Market #309
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IOSG Weekly Brief｜Cryptocurrency Marketing Ecosystem Research: Focus on the Korean Market #309
South Korea's cryptocurrency landscape is thriving at an unprecedented pace.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor | Shirley @IOSG
Recently, a16z crypto opened an office in Seoul to provide go-to-market (GTM) support for its portfolio companies across the Asia-Pacific region, and has hired regional leads to offer comprehensive assistance to project teams.
Following our previous research on “Focusing on the Chinese Crypto Market: A Snapshot of the Web3 KOL and Agency Marketing Ecosystem”, this report turns its attention to the Korean market. Given South Korea’s unique economic environment, rapid adoption of digital assets, and emerging regulatory framework, this overview of local exchanges, media, institutions, research firms, and blockchain events aims to serve as a valuable reference for investors, startups, community builders, and stakeholders.
Why is the Korean market becoming increasingly important in crypto?
South Korea is widely recognized as a global cryptocurrency hotspot, where crypto trading is deeply embedded in its financial culture. It has become one of the most dynamic crypto markets in the world. 2025 has proven to be a pivotal year for the industry. With over 16 million crypto users, strong mobile adoption, and a tech-savvy population, Korea's crypto landscape is expanding at an unprecedented pace.
Adoption Analysis
Korean Stock vs. Crypto Traders Analysis (2018–2025)
From 2018 to 2025, South Korea experienced a significant shift in investment behavior. The number of stock traders grew from 5.6 million (10.8% of the population) to 14.1 million (27.3%), a 152% increase. More notably, crypto traders surged from 2 million (3.9%) to 16.3 million (31.6%), marking a staggering 715% growth. By 2025, crypto traders surpassed stock traders for the first time, reflecting a major shift in retail investment preferences.
▲ Trader Growth Trend (Millions)
▲ Population Penetration (%)
Key Findings
#Stock Traders
- Grew from 5.6 million (10.8% of population) in 2018 to 14.1 million (27.3%) in 2025
- Experienced explosive growth during the 2020 pandemic (136.7%)
- Relatively stable since 2021 at around 14.2 million
#Crypto Traders
- Surged from 2 million (3.9% of population) in 2018 to 16.3 million (31.6%) in 2025
- Recorded an astonishing 715% growth over the period
- Accelerated significantly between 2024–2025, adding nearly 7 million new traders
- Exceeded stock traders for the first time in 2025
From 2024 to 2025, Bitcoin’s strong performance, U.S. ETF approvals, and Trump’s pro-crypto stance fueled explosive growth. Crypto traders jumped from 9.7 million to 16.3 million—surpassing stock traders for the first time in Korean history—reflecting a fundamental shift in retail investment behavior.
Data sources: Korea Financial Investment Association (KFIA), Korea Securities Depository, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Bank of Korea, Thornburg Investment Management, major crypto exchanges (Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, Gopax), and official government statistics. Stock trader figures represent unique individuals with active accounts. Crypto trader numbers reflect verified users registered on exchanges. Population data comes from the United Nations’ “World Population Prospects 2024 Revision” and Statistics Korea.
Beyond Stocks: Surging Crypto Adoption in Korea and Market Implications
According to FinTech Weekly, by March 2025, over 16 million Koreans already held crypto accounts—surpassing stock investors,and digital asset adoption reached new highs following the national elections. This group represents over 30% of the population. Among them, Upbit accounts for approximately 5.4 million users (53% of the domestic market), Bithumb around 3.8 million (37%), Coinone 300,000–500,000 (<5%), and Korbit 100,000–200,000 (<2%).
In terms of user count, more than 16 million crypto users served by centralized exchanges in Korea (over 30% of the country’s population) account for roughly 3% of the estimated 560 million global crypto owners/users in 2025. Notably, global figures include all crypto holders, most of whom use centralized platforms, while Korean users primarily rely on regulated local platforms.
Despite Bitcoin dominating holdings, Korea is emerging as a major player in the global fiat-to-crypto space. According to Chainalysis’ report on the 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, while the U.S. remains the world’s largest fiat inflow channel with total transaction volume exceeding $2.4 trillion—nearly four times that of the second-largest country—Korea follows closely behind with an impressive $722 billion. This strong showing underscores the country’s growing importance within the global crypto ecosystem. In contrast, the EU’s fiat-to-crypto transaction volume was slightly below $250 billion, highlighting the scale of Korea’s market. Among the top 20 countries in the index, Korea ranked 15th. With rapid adoption and a strategic position as one of the largest crypto hubs, Korea continues to solidify its role as a key participant in the global crypto economy.
▲ Source: Chainalysis
Exchange-Side Analysis
The influence of Korean crypto exchanges is growing not only regionally but globally. Exchanges like Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone dominate trading volumes and continue to evolve under Korea’s robust regulatory framework. As of October 2025, domestic centralized exchanges accounted for approximately 1.9% of global daily trading volume and about 3% of the total number of centralized exchange users worldwide. However, when measuring spot trading alone, Korea’s share reaches around 16% of global centralized exchange spot volume—highlighting its disproportionately large impact in retail-driven fiat-to-crypto trading despite its relatively small share of total users.
▲ Global Trading Volume Comparison (Q4 2025) (asksurf.ai)
Compared to major global markets, Korea maintains its lead as a premier gateway for fiat-to-crypto transactions and leads the Asia-Pacific region in trading value, driven by exceptionally high per capita adoption (30% vs. global 6.8%) and a highly active retail trading culture.
▲ Korea vs. Major Markets Comparison (Q4 2025) (asksurf.ai)
Regulatory Impact
South Korea was among the first countries to establish a clear framework for crypto trading and compliance. The government’s stance has evolved through different phases, each responding to market developments:
- 2017–2018: Suppression and Stabilization – Viewing crypto as a speculative threat, authorities imposed bans on ICOs, margin trading, and anonymous accounts to safeguard financial stability.
- 2019–2021: Pragmatic Regulation – A shift toward controlled acceptance emerged. Strict AML/KYC frameworks were enforced, culminating in the enactment of the 2020 Act on Reporting and Use of Specific Financial Transaction Information, which established critical reporting standards for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
- 2022–2023: Focus on Investor Protection – Triggered by major incidents such as the Terra-Luna collapse, this period prioritized consumer safeguards. The government introduced token safety guidelines and OTC broker regulations, laying the groundwork for future institutional products.
- 2024–Present: Institutional Integration – Crypto has become a mainstream political and financial topic. The landmark Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA), passed in June 2025, established a comprehensive regulatory framework covering asset classification, issuance rules, stablecoins, and taxation. This era emphasizes balanced growth, with laws like the Virtual Asset Users Protection Act imposing strict penalties for misconduct.
This evolution reflects the government’s learning curve amid crises, technological maturity, and recognition that crypto has become a permanent part of the financial landscape. Today, public figures, corporations, and exchanges are subject to disclosure requirements and strict oversight. Korea is unlikely to rapidly relax regulations but will continue to gradually refine policy standards, balancing investor protection with market growth. Over time, this could lead to expanded institutional participation, including banks offering digital asset services and securities firms engaging in tokenized financial products.
With 16 million users holding approximately $70.3 billion ($102.6 trillion KRW) in crypto assets, Korea’s market depth is undeniable. For any crypto project, entering the Korean market is shifting from an option to a strategic necessity—especially before a Token Generation Event (TGE). In marketing, language and cultural barriers pose significant challenges. Therefore, partnering with local crypto players—including media, GTM agencies, research firms, and even key opinion leaders (KOLs)—is essential.
Keys to Long-Term Marketing Success in Korea
#Realistic Expectations for Success
Long-term success in Korea depends on coordinated marketing with clear milestones. Agencies emphasize that at least 2–3 months pre-listing are needed to build brand awareness and community engagement; expecting rapid volume increases within the first two months is unrealistic.
#Campaign Duration and User Attention
Campaigns lasting longer than three months may lose user attention due to market saturation and fast-moving retail traders. Agencies aim to maintain momentum without prolonging campaigns unnecessarily.
#Focus on Brand Awareness and Community Building
Prioritizing brand visibility, engaging KOLs, issuing press releases, and building communities—rather than solely focusing on volume growth—leads to more sustainable followership and long-term token holders.
#KOL Engagement
Building strong, meaningful relationships with KOLs requires sustained efforts, including events, translation, and incentives like whitelist spots, fostering deeper project understanding and advocacy.
#Customized Marketing for Different Client Types
Marketing services are tailored for pre-TGE, post-TGE, and B2B institutional clients:
- Pre-TGE clients require urgent, concentrated marketing support over 2–3 months to prepare the Korean market.
- Post-TGE projects continue marketing to sustain momentum and assess team strength.
- B2B clients focus on institutional outreach, gaining exposure and professional event access beyond retail channels.
According to agencies, projects like 0G and Sahara AI benefited significantly from agency support, with agencies contributing up to 40% of node sales. SUI’s rise from $0.4 to $4 over two years highlights the importance of tight coordination between internal marketing, institutional alignment, and market-making strategies. The Korean crypto market features a fragmented institutional and research landscape, with a few dominant players and varying reputations. In the following sections, I’ll briefly introduce key local media, agencies, and research firms.
Overview of Leading Media Outlets
Korean crypto media play a crucial role in helping projects navigate the local market, offering unique advantages through deep understanding of Korean trends, regulatory environments, and cultural nuances. With a highly engaged and tech-savvy audience, Korean crypto media deliver tailored content that resonates with both retail and institutional investors. The combination of broad reach, localized expertise, and active community engagement makes them essential partners for any project aiming to successfully enter and thrive in Korea. This section highlights several leading media outlets to help projects better understand the media landscape. (Order not indicative of ranking.)
🔥 Followin (@followin_io)
#Overview
Followin is an AI-powered crypto news platform that aggregates content across the crypto internet—news, Twitter/X, KOL insights, on-chain signals—and transforms it into real-time trading intelligence for retail investors. Founded in 2022, Followin has grown into Asia’s leading crypto information infrastructure, serving over 3 million users across the Asia-Pacific region and gaining traction in Korea. The platform stands out with its smarter AI news engine and fastest delivery of trending topics and market movement alerts.
#Key Features
- Real-time News: Sub-second market updates and price-sensitive event alerts
- Alpha Signals: AI-curated early narratives, whale activity, and breakout opportunities
- Social Sentiment Analysis: Tracks X/TG data and top KOL trade notifications to detect sentiment shifts
- Earn & Rewards: Participate in airdrops, earn token rewards, and complete tasks
#Followin Services
Leveraging its massive retail traffic and extensive regional network, Followin has successfully supported numerous crypto projects in achieving zero-to-one marketing growth in the Asia-Pacific market. Followin offers integrated Go-To-Market (GTM) services across the region, combining real-time media distribution, localized user growth solutions, and deep KOL networks into a unified launch and growth engine.
- PR Services: Breaking news, PR distribution, online events
- Asia-Pacific User Growth: One-stop solution with localized marketing strategies
- KOL Services: KOL, community, and exchange relations
Followin emphasizes regional partnerships, co-hosting events, and supporting the Web3 ecosystem. Its collaborations amplify media reach, strengthen crypto brands, and foster community building across Asia. The platform’s PR services, professional KOL connections, and multilingual channels help crypto projects reach new audiences and enhance brand visibility.
#Core Competitive Advantages
- High-quality retail trading users: 3M+ app and web users, 1.7M+ social channel followers
- Regional and multilingual focus: Real-time translation in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, covering key markets in Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China
- Asia-Pacific network: Deep connections with KOLs, media, and communities
As Asia’s leading mobile-first AI aggregator, Followin leverages the region’s high mobile penetration and multilingual needs among retail traders. By integrating vast information sources, Followin caters perfectly to traders who prioritize speed over analysis. With strong regional partnerships, the platform demonstrates effective community building and ecosystem support. (📲 App: https://followin.io/download)
🔥 Coinness (@CoinNess_)
#Overview
Coinness, founded in 2018, is Korea’s largest crypto media and community platform by user base, operating as the industry’s primary real-time news wire. The platform serves over 1 million monthly active users, 150K+ daily active users, and 300K registered community members, making it the go-to destination for breaking crypto news and project exposure.
Coinness operates a web service while maintaining a mobile app as its core, successfully building a large-scale, app-based crypto news and community platform—an achievement unmatched by Korea’s traditionally web-centric media. In mobile app traffic, Coinness ranks just behind the country’s two largest exchanges, Upbit and Bithumb, and leads among non-exchange crypto platforms.
#Main Features and Services
- Breaking News: 24/7 real-time updates on homepage, ensuring concise and impactful news delivery
- News Section PR: Traditional PR articles with in-depth insights, pinned at the top of news section for enhanced visibility
- Research: Detailed articles exploring technical aspects of crypto projects
- Interviews: Text-based interviews conducted in Q&A format
- Pop-up Banners: Partners can display promotional banners on the platform for increased visibility
- CoinNess Night Live (CNL): Interactive AMA events held in the Coinness Telegram community, averaging over 1,000 KYC-verified participants
- Price Aggregation: Real-time digital asset prices with detailed market data including liquidation rates, long/short ratios, funding rates, and open interest
#Core Competitive Advantages
- Real-time Asian Market Intelligence: Coinness provides sub-minute coverage of Korean exchange activities (e.g., Bithumb, Upbit) and tracks regulatory developments across Asia, giving traders a competitive edge, especially in arbitrage and regulatory insight.
- Integrated News-to-Trading Workflow: By combining breaking news alerts with real-time trading (spot and futures), Coinness delivers a seamless user experience from news discovery to trade execution.
- Deep Korean Market Expertise: With over seven years focused on the Korean market, Coinness maintains unparalleled depth in local crypto culture, regulatory nuances, and community preferences—difficult for global competitors to replicate.
- Mobile-First Architecture: Optimized for mobile devices with push notifications, customizable alerts, and offline reading, catering to Asia’s high mobile penetration and outperforming web-based rivals in the region.
#Key Differentiators
- Unlike traditional web-based media, Coinness applies a strict monthly active user (MAU) standard, counting only genuinely engaged users rather than one-time page visitors. This approach provides stronger, more reliable performance metrics in traffic, views, and engagement, establishing a clear data-driven advantage in Korea’s crypto media landscape. This data credibility is recognized by leading institutions, enabling Coinness to partner with major enterprises like Kakao Bank, Hanwha Investment & Securities, and Bithumb on advertising campaigns—a distinction rarely achieved by Web3-native media platforms.
Coinness provides 24/7 coverage of cryptocurrency and blockchain developments, delivering real-time breaking news, market analysis, price indices, and expert insights. Its breaking news is distributed via over 30 API partners, including exchanges and media platforms, and is widely and organically cited by traditional media and crypto KOLs, enabling rapid industry-wide dissemination.
As Asia’s leading mobile-first crypto media aggregator, Coinness combines speed, cultural relevance, and integrated trading functions to dominate the regional market. Its success lies in delivering real-time, actionable information to active Asian traders. Coinness’ deep roots in the local market and seamless integration of news with trading tools make it Asia’s leading real-time crypto media platform.
🔥 Blockmedia (@with_blockmedia)
#Overview
Launched in 2017, Blockmedia defines itself as Korea’s first blockchain media, leading the market in crypto categories and rankings. It is a media firm dedicated exclusively to educating and engaging blockchain and crypto audiences. Originally an online media platform, Blockmedia now interacts with investors through various channels, including YouTube, Telegram, and X. The platform gained widespread recognition through its annual “BlockFesta” conference, attracting global blockchain projects. With 36K+ social followers and 58.7K YouTube subscribers, Blockmedia maintains 4 million monthly active users and stands out with comprehensive real-time reporting, global project interviews, and original research, cementing its leadership in the region.
#Main Services and Features
- Press Releases: Publish press releases on Blockmedia, distributed to Telegram (35K followers), including translation and editing. Enhanced visibility via Google SEO, Naver, and Telegram.
- Feature Articles: In-house research articles by Blockmedia’s production team, providing deep insights into partner projects, published on Blockmedia’s official channels and CoinMarketCap.
- Interviews (Video/Text): Video and text interviews by the production team. Published on YouTube (58.7K subscribers) and shared on Telegram and Twitter.
- External Distribution: Distributed via other Web3 media outlets to maximize reach and visibility among retail traders and users.
- KOL Bridging: Blockmedia screens top KOLs for collaboration, enhancing content promotion and marketing campaigns with customized content and budgets per KOL.
#Platform Highlights
- News and Market Coverage: Real-time crypto and stock market updates, in-depth coverage of technology, industry trends, and major announcements.
- Regulatory Expertise: Detailed reporting on Korean regulations, including stablecoin and local market policy updates.
- Interviews/Profiles: CEO interviews, live events, and market analysis from industry leaders.
- Research: Proprietary reports on token analysis, investment insights, DeFi protocol security, market dynamics, and forecasts, developed in collaboration with other research firms.
- Video Content Excellence: YouTube channel maintains 58.7K subscribers, with 3,744 videos totaling 9.65 million views, including daily content like Fed rate analysis and deep protocol breakdowns.
- Real-time Feed: Hourly news updates via Telegram, delivering market data and breaking news alerts in real time.
#Competitive Advantages
- Exceptional Regulatory Coverage: Blockmedia delivers unmatched depth in Korean regulation, real-time event updates, and institutional intelligence. Its regulatory analysis goes beyond simple news aggregation, offering insights competitors cannot match.
- Original Research: Through a team of professional analysts, Blockmedia produces targeted research, delivering exclusive market reports and insights.
- Video Content Leadership: With its “Blumi TV” channel, Blockmedia leads in video content, providing daily updates and deep technical analyses on global projects and Fed rates, setting it apart from local competitors.
- Comprehensive Multimedia Approach: Unlike leading mobile-first platforms, Blockmedia excels in web-based multimedia content, combining strong traffic performance with content depth.
Blockmedia’s balanced strategy—combining high traffic, original research, and multimedia engagement—makes it a leading platform for both institutional and retail crypto investors in Korea. Its exceptional regulatory coverage and original research make it the preferred source for mature investors and Web3 projects seeking broad exposure and deep insights. Blockmedia continues to lead in web-based reporting, serving a diverse audience through comprehensive news, interviews, video, and research content.
🔥 Bloomingbit 블루밍비트 (@bloomingbit_io)
#Overview
Bloomingbit (블루밍비트) is a prominent Korean crypto and blockchain media platform. Established as part of Hankyung Media Group—the largest financial media group in Korea, whose flagship publication is The Korea Economic Daily—Bloomingbit focuses on delivering credible, real-time news and insights for crypto investors, emphasizing clarity and usability so users can make informed decisions without sifting through fragmented information. Positioned as the starting point for crypto investing, the platform offers curated reporting by dedicated blockchain journalists for both Korean and international audiences, providing bilingual content. Its team consists of writers and editors targeting the global English-speaking market, translating complex stories into clear, accessible English.
#Main Features
- Real-time news updates, expert-curated market analysis, and a user-friendly interface allowing users to “see everything at a glance.”
- Mobile access via app, transforming complex stories into actionable insights, with integrated social sharing to expand reach.
- In-depth analysis, such as 2026 Bitcoin forecasts, major trade reporting, and intersection points with macroeconomics.
- Covers diverse crypto content: startup token launches, exchange listings, developer product releases, PR agency-client collaborations, IDOs/ICOs, DAO governance, etc.
#Bloomingbit Main Services
- Organic Press Releases: Editor-curated content (non-advertising driven), e.g., token launches, tech updates, industry collaborations, public events, reports.
- Paid Content Placement: Promotional or time-sensitive content, e.g., exchange listings, token sales, product launches, AMA announcements.
- Press Release Distribution: Enhances SEO and proper tagging for long-term search engine ranking, e.g., company updates, financial reports, investor news, security audits, protocol changes.
Bloomingbit provides comprehensive coverage of blockchain, Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, DeFi, Web3, altcoins, regulatory developments, exchange activities (e.g., Upbit, Bithumb), and global trends, typically with a Korea-focused lens.
#Core Competitive Advantages
- Legacy Media Credibility and Support: As part of Hankyung, Bloomingbit benefits from established journalistic standards and a broad financial network, distinguishing it from independent media. This gives Bloomingbit an edge in attracting serious investors.
- Curated Insights and User-Centric Content: Bloomingbit emphasizes journalist-curated, actionable stories, contrasting with rapid-fire updates from other media that may overwhelm users. Distribution includes Upbit, Bithumb, Tradingview, hankyung.com, Naver News, etc.
- Events and Thought Leadership: Actively participates in conferences like Korea Investment Week, underscoring its influence and drawing investors through market integration forecasts and economic analysis—especially relevant given Korea’s leading crypto traffic in Asia.
Bloomingbit combines legacy media backing, curated content, and bilingual accessibility, making it a trusted source of crypto information in Korea. While not necessarily the highest in traffic among major platforms, its partnership with Korea’s largest economic newspaper Hankyung and support from local investment firm Hashed give it significant advantages in credibility and depth, earning institutional exposure. As a subsidiary of Hankyung, Bloomingbit is gaining increasing momentum in the market.
🔥 TokenPost (@tokenpost)
#Overview
TokenPost is Korea’s pioneering blockchain and digital asset media platform. Founded in 2017 as the country’s first professional blockchain media outlet, TokenPost has evolved into a comprehensive platform connecting domestic and international blockchain industries, emphasizing trust, global coverage, and professionalism in reporting. With over 5.2 million monthly visits, 16.4 million pageviews, and more than 1.1 million newsletter subscribers, it has become the leading domestic blockchain media, offering fact-based insights into crypto, DeFi, AI, Web3, policy, and industry trends—beyond mere hype.
#Main Features
- Scale and Reach: Attracts over 5.2 million monthly visitors and 16.4 million pageviews, demonstrating strong user loyalty through high direct traffic.
- Bilingual and Global Focus: Offers content in Korean and English, expanding into markets like Thailand, facilitating international access to Korean crypto news and trends.
- Innovative Tools and Integration: Provides real-time price tracking (e.g., BTC, ETH, HBAR, BNB, XRP), blockchain-notarized articles for transparency, a KOL Index to measure influencer impact, and audio analysis via the TokenPost Podcast.
- Data-Driven Analysis: Offers the TPI (TokenPost Index) for market trend assessment and collaborates with data providers like Kaiko and Messari for in-depth research.
#Main Services
- News Distribution: Objective, fact-based reporting on blockchain, crypto markets, DeFi, AI, Web3, regulatory updates, and security issues, including breaking news and exclusive interviews.
- Research and Insights: In-depth market analysis, hidden insights, and educational content via knowledge wikis, lowering entry barriers for users.
- Portfolio Management Tool: Korea’s first integrated crypto portfolio service, enabling users to track assets across exchanges, simulate strategies, view performance rankings, and receive personalized news.
- Community and Events: Hosts interactive forums, reward lounges, and offline events like roadshows, providing industry education and networking opportunities.
#Core Competitive Advantages
TokenPost stands out among leading media through its top-tier traffic, innovative tools, and role as a bridge between local and global markets.
- Scale and Reach: Massive monthly traffic and strong domestic presence, with broader international access surpassing competitors.
- Innovation and Utility: TokenPost’s portfolio tool, blockchain notarization, and KOL Index transform it from a news site into a platform offering practical user value missing elsewhere. Combined with data analytics and simulation tools, it enables deeper engagement, aligning with its “smart media” positioning.
- Content Depth and Expertise: Focused on insights, exclusive interviews, and research (e.g., with Kaiko, Messari), TokenPost delivers objective analysis, avoiding hype. Its event hosting (e.g., Onchain Symposium) and policy focus strengthen its thought leadership.
- Global and Partnership Focus: Expansion into Thailand and partnerships with firms like Crypto.com and Chiliz place TokenPost ahead of local peers.
Overall, TokenPost, with its massive scale, user-centric tools, and insightful content, pioneers sustainable ecosystem development in Korea’s dynamic crypto market, leading in traffic and innovation while bridging global audiences.
Overview of Leading Go-To-Market Agencies
In Korea’s crypto market, marketing agencies play an indispensable role, with many high-performing firms—including some preferring anonymity—exerting critical influence. Here, based on available data and insights, we highlight three agencies: INF CryptoLab, 071Labs, and DeSpread, focusing specifically on their capabilities in crypto marketing. For more agency information, feel free to contact us. (Order not indicative of ranking.)
🔥 INF CryptoLab (@INF_CryptoLab)
#Overview
INF CryptoLab is a leading Korean Web3 accelerator and marketing firm, renowned since its 2020 founding for rapid success. As one of Korea’s largest marketing agencies, INF has built a strong reputation for helping crypto projects navigate and thrive in the Korean market.
#Main Services
KOL Marketing & Management
- Brand storytelling and strategic planning to ensure consistent brand presence.
- Identifying top-performing KOLs to maximize results with minimal spend.
- Customized content and sustained exposure beyond one-off posts.
- Performance tracking through actionable data.
Research & Education
- Comprehensive research across Web2/Web3 platforms, media, and academia.
- Online and offline educational content to boost market awareness.
SEO/SEM & Blog
- Collaboration with leading blog KOLs to enhance search visibility, focusing on platforms like NAVER.
Traditional & Crypto PR
- Expertise in selecting suitable media partners for broad exposure.
- Full coverage across 20+ media outlets on both Web2 and Web3 platforms.
Event Organization (Online & Offline)
- Extensive experience organizing crypto events: online AMAs, offline conferences, hackathons.
- YouTube/TV Interviews: Opportunities for projects to appear on top Korean startup YouTube channels.
Community Management
- Managing and building Korean Telegram communities, driving engagement through KOL support and localized events.
#Key Partners
INF CryptoLab has collaborated with top global Web3 projects including Sui, Avalanche, Injective, NEO, Openledger, Sahara, Magic Labs, Walrus, and others. They also partner with leading firms such as Uniswap, Mantle, 0g Labs, Orbiter Finance, Oasys, Hashkey Global, Plume, Kite AI, RedStone, ZKPass, Jito, Pyth, and more.
#Notable Success Cases
- SUI: Exclusive marketing partner in Korea for over 2.5 years, collaborating with multiple projects on the SUI platform.
- 0G Labs: Contributed 30% of node sales volume through KOL influence.
- Aethir: Led market entry strategy for token and product, generating revenue from Korean institutions.
- Hyundai Card Conference: Successfully co-hosted an event with Hyundai Card.
- Kite AI: Enhanced brand visibility in Korea through KOL+INF focused model, securing listing opportunities.
INF CryptoLab offers flexible, high-quality services with a contract-based freelance KOL team. Their custom service packages cover Web2 and Web3 channels, ensuring overseas projects successfully enter the Korean market.
🔥 071Labs (@071_labs)
#Overview
071 Labs is a leading Korean GTM incubator and venture capital firm, known for its large client base and market influence. Leveraging innovative blockchain technologies, investments, and diverse business models, 071 Labs supports the growth of blockchain startups and promising projects. By closely collaborating with project teams, KOLs, and media, 071 Labs helps turn ideas into reality, positioning its partners at the forefront of the digital economy.
#Main Services
KOL Ambassador Programs & Alliances
- Design and manage KOL ambassador programs and alliances to boost project visibility and credibility.
PR & Media Promotion
- Release PR content and articles in both crypto and traditional mainstream media to strengthen brand presence and secure strategic exposure.
Community Building & Viral Marketing
- Build and manage online communities, run viral marketing campaigns to drive engagement and awareness in Korea.
YouTube Content Creation
- Develop and produce YouTube content to promote projects and reach wider audiences.
Blog, Editorial Services & SEO
- Content creation, blog publishing, and SEO strategies to improve online visibility and drive traffic growth.
#Key Case Studies / Track Record
- Perp DEX Growth: Drove billions in trading volume growth for perpetual DEX partners.
- Korean Node Distribution: Generated $2M in node sales for projects like Aethir, Carv, Delysium, Moonveil.
- Web2 → On-chain User Acquisition: Helped bring Web2 users on-chain—making Korea Catizen’s second-largest market, generating $1M in game revenue within 8 months.
- Founder Exposure (Web2 Retail Reach): Secured traditional media interviews for founders, boosting digital presence and reaching Web2 retail audiences.
- PMF Support for Web2 Companies: Built and promoted Tada mini-app, supporting Tada’s service offerings and refining PMF (Product-Market Fit).
#Marketing and Portfolio
071 Labs partners with top blockchain projects in marketing, including:
Catizen, UXLink, Blum, Pendle, Vana, Aethir, Carv, TON, Metis, VeChain, Ultiverse, Hooked Protocol, MVL, Navi Protocol, Scallop, Delysium, Sleepless, Tellor, Particle Network, Farcana, Prom, Metacean, Hippocrat, Sahara AI, io.net, GoPlus, Sonic, Aster, OpenEden
In investment, including:
Particle Network, Catizen, UXLink, Zerobase, Solv, Nubit, Aria, Vanila Finance, Multiple Network, Aimeme, OpenEden, Aster, Momentum, Moss, Tria, Billions
As Korea’s largest GTM incubator and VC firm, 071 Labs offers a full ecosystem for blockchain projects—from fundraising and marketing to community building and viral growth. It owns Dokdo DAO (Korea’s largest KOL DAO with 50K+ members) and Blockstreet (a Korean crypto PR/media agency with 4K daily active users), providing a competitive edge in the market.
By pioneering blockchain technology and reshaping the crypto ecosystem, 071 Labs creates innovative business models and unlocks new opportunities. It focuses on collaborating with innovators, creatives, and visionaries, accelerating startup growth through strategic investment, technical expertise, and partnerships. Committed to long-term innovation and market leadership, 071 Labs builds a sustainable foundation for the future of the digital economy. As architects in the blockchain space, they are ideal partners for projects aiming to transform industries.
🔥 DeSpread (@DeSpreadTeam)
#Overview
Founded in 2019, DeSpread is one of the largest and most influential Web3 growth studios in Korea, offering Go-To-Market (GTM) strategic consulting for blockchain projects across the APAC region. With over 30 experts, DeSpread pioneered and continuously innovates growth in Korea’s Web3 GTM space. To date, DeSpread has supported over 100 global blockchain projects without relying on external funding. Recognized for driving Web3 growth in Korea through data-driven strategies, it helps overseas projects successfully enter the Korean market.
#Main Services
Brand Consulting
- Custom GTM strategy based on market insights and narrative development.
- Consulting on Web3 product-market fit (PMF) and brand building.
- Building local partnerships and ecosystem support for market entry.
Growth Strategy & Media Outreach
- Data-driven product growth and marketing strategy consulting.
- Media relations management, crisis PR, and social media strategy.
- End-to-end online/offline event operations and media distribution.
Research & Market Insights
- In-depth market research reports and data-driven insights.
- Help clients track industry trends and build valuable connections.
Validator Services
- Validators & Infrastructure: Operates mainnet validators across multiple networks including Hyperliquid, Berachain, Story, Monad, Stacks, and Avail, and also serves as LST validator on Berachain, Hyperliquid, and Monad, providing trusted technical support in the region.
DAT (Digital Asset Treasury) Strategist
- Pioneering opportunities in Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) in Korea.
- Connecting global DAT investors with top Korean financial institutions.
- Developing customized asset acquisition strategies for investors with different risk profiles and tailored solutions.
#Key Partners and Cases
As one of Korea’s earliest and longest-standing GTM firms, DeSpread initially partnered with projects like Solana, Stacks, The Sandbox, Filecoin. Over time, its partner list expanded to include Aptos, Sui, Arbitrum, Berachain, Soneium, Story, Babylon, Gensyn, among others, with multiple successful cases.
As a deep ecosystem participant, DeSpread promotes comprehensive GTM strategies through a dual-track framework:
- Matching on-chain product providers with existing and potential on-chain user demand
- Connecting projects with investment decision-makers through education and relationship-building. These goals are supported by core services—brand consulting, growth strategy, research, and validator services—with DAT coverage strategically integrated as a special tool to foster institutional collaboration and enterprise utility.
DeSpread also extended its reach to retail and bulk user adoption through the DATCON2025 conference, achieving holistic GTM coverage for users and investors alike.
Overview of Leading Research Firms
Korean exchanges heavily rely on reports from research firms during project listing due diligence, highlighting the importance of neutral, credible research for market participants. Represented by Four Pillars, Tiger Research, and Xangle, Korea’s research ecosystem is consolidating into a powerful force shaping its crypto market. (Order not indicative of ranking.)
🔥 FourPillars (@FourPillarsFP)
#Overview
FourPillars is one of Asia’s fastest-growing crypto research firms, headquartered in Seoul, specializing in professional, data-driven analysis for institutional and crypto-native audiences. Founded to deliver high-quality industry insights, the firm aims to shape Asia’s blockchain narrative through research, infrastructure, and influence. With a dedicated research team, FourPillars is expanding its impact beyond Korea to English-speaking and broader Asian markets.
#Core Business and Highlights
FourPillars centers on producing in-depth research to bridge the gap between institutional investors and the crypto ecosystem. The firm collaborates with blockchain projects to foster ecosystem growth, including business expansion and developer opportunities in Korea. It has also launched a validator brand—FP Validated—to further ecosystem development.
- Research Reports & Articles: Comprehensive guides and forward-looking analysis, neutral in tone, targeting builders, retail, and institutional investors.
- Validator Services: Launches theory-driven validators for L1/L2 blockchains, tailored for investors and traders.
- Data-Driven Tools: Public dashboards for crypto projects to analyze and present key metrics.
- Ecosystem Contributions: Drives global project entry into Korea through event recaps and collaborative initiatives.
#Advantages and Conclusion
FourPillars focuses on institutional-grade, forward-looking research with deep technical analysis (e.g., ZK proofs, real-world assets (RWAs), ecosystem outlooks). Its research aids crypto natives in strategic planning, while its narrative-driven approach combines technical depth with actionable insights to drive ecosystem growth—setting it apart from competitors.
- Selective Validators: Operates top-tier validators only on vetted chains.
- Validated Product-Market Fit: Research demonstrates clear market applicability.
- Scalable Growth: Validators used for strategic expansion without diverting core focus.
- Trusted by Industry Leaders: Widely trusted by founders, funds, and communities.
- First-Mover Advantage: Pioneer in shaping Korea’s institutional-grade crypto narrative.
- Expanding Regional Influence: Broadening footprint across greater Asia.
🔥 TigerResearch (@tiger_research)
#Overview
Tiger Research is a Korean research and consulting firm focused on Web3 and blockchain, with a strong emphasis on the Asian market. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Seoul, with branches in key cities like Tokyo, Hanoi, and Jakarta, it expands operations across Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and China. Tiger Research offers end-to-end solutions for global Web3 projects entering and scaling in Asia, leveraging deep local market understanding to ensure successful project落地.
#Core Business and Highlights
Tiger Research positions itself as the “guide” for global Web3 projects in Asia, offering a comprehensive, execution-oriented market entry approach. Combining bottom-up market research with outcome-driven business strategy, it minimizes risk and accelerates client growth. Tiger Research emphasizes long-term partnerships, problem-solving capability, and leveraging local networks to create sustainable success in complex markets.
- Market Research & Reports: Custom, in-depth reports on regulations, market trends, and ecosystem dynamics, published twice weekly tracking developments in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
- Business Development & Consulting: Tailored Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies, compliance guidance, and market entry solutions. Daily tracking of government policies and trends in target regions.
- Partnerships & Ecosystem Building: Leverages 30+ local partners to facilitate collaborations and synergies. For example, jointly publishes reports on Southeast Asian markets with other research firms. Also serves as research partner for events like Malaysia Blockchain Week.
#Advantages and Conclusion
Tiger Research stands out through its practical, execution-focused methodology and regional expertise, differentiating itself from data-centric global firms in Korea’s crypto research space. It delivers custom research reports on regulations, market trends, and business dynamics, emphasizing actual implementation over theoretical planning. This focus on delivering results enables clients to adapt quickly and scale in fast-evolving markets.
Tiger Research offers end-to-end solutions—from market analysis to full GTM strategy—helping clients minimize risk and accelerate growth. With multi-regional coverage, deep local networks, and a trust-building philosophy, Tiger Research is a practical and reliable partner for Web3 growth in Asia. By prioritizing actionable insights and long-term partnerships, it helps clients navigate complex regional markets and achieve sustainable success.
🔥 Xangle (@Xangle_official)
#Overview
Xangle is a Korean Web3 research and infrastructure company focused on delivering institutional-grade market research, on-chain ecosystem infrastructure, and transparency tools for the Web3 ecosystem. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Seoul, Xangle is widely regarded as a key analytical reference point in Korea—one of the world’s largest crypto trading hubs. Xangle’s mission is to support enterprises and investors through data-driven decision-making while ensuring compliance.
#Core Business and Highlights
Xangle’s work is research-driven, supporting its broader role in ecosystem transparency and infrastructure. Core activities include protocol-level analysis, research publications, and operating on-chain infrastructure such as blockchain explorers and validator nodes.
- Research & Market Intelligence: Institutional-grade research on regulatory updates and future outlooks, available to institutional users via platforms like Bloomberg Terminal.
- Protocol Disclosure & Information Standards: Maintains standardized disclosure frameworks, ensuring accurate communication of blockchain project mechanisms, governance structures, and token designs.
- Blockchain Explorer & Ecosystem Infrastructure: Designs and operates official blockchain explorers and ecosystem hubs, providing unified access to on-chain data, governance info, and ecosystem overviews for L1 and L2 networks.
- Validators & On-Chain Operations: Operates validator infrastructure for selected blockchain networks, supporting network security and governance participation.
#Advantages and Conclusion
Xangle distinguishes itself through quantified on-chain data and institutional integration, positioning as Asia’s leading platform for real-time analysis and compliance in crypto. Unlike qualitative or consultancy-focused firms, Xangle provides empirically grounded research with a strong emphasis on regulatory alignment and market transparency—particularly suited to Korea’s stringent crypto environment. Its data reliability, regulatory focus, and global integration make Xangle a valuable tool for institutions, exchanges, and crypto projects in Asia’s competitive market.
Overview of Major Korean Blockchain Conferences and Strategic Value Assessment
Korea’s blockchain conference ecosystem is mature and diverse, with major events falling into categories such as global summits, exchange-led developer conferences, technically oriented builder gatherings, and government-supported regional events. Below is a detailed introduction to six major conferences, covering event profiles, organizers, target audiences, and impact assessments. We also evaluate the strategic value of sponsoring these events for project token listings on major Korean exchanges (e.g., Upbit or Bithumb) and for enhancing local brand visibility.
Overview of Major Korean Blockchain Conferences
#Korea Blockchain Week (KBW)
KBW is Korea’s largest and most internationally influential annual blockchain event, held every year since 2018. It is not just an industry conference but a week-long Web3 festival centered around the flagship IMPACT conference.
- Organizer: FACTBLOCK (founder and main organizer), with co-organization by Hashed (leading crypto VC).
- Target Audience: Global Web3 leaders, top developers, international investors, corporate executives, and general crypto enthusiasts.
- Impact Assessment: KBW is the primary bridge connecting global projects with the Korean market. It offers the highest media exposure and broadest international participation, making it the premier platform for building global and local networks.
#Upbit D Conference (UDC)
UDC is a global blockchain conference hosted by Dunamu, operator of Upbit—the largest crypto exchange in Korea. Originally named the “Upbit Developer Conference,” it has expanded to cover technology, policy, and industry trends.
- Organizer: Dunamu (operator of Upbit).
- Target Audience: Blockchain developers, industry experts, regulators, and anyone interested in the Upbit ecosystem.
- Impact Assessment: UDC holds the highest direct strategic value for projects seeking Upbit listings. As a non-profit event aimed at ecosystem development, a project’s presence at UDC signals strong recognition from Upbit of its technological and ecological value.
#ETH Seoul
ETH Seoul is an annual developer-focused event centered on the Ethereum ecosystem, typically featuring hackathons and technical summits. It is the core gathering of the global Ethereum community in Korea.
- Organizer: Supported by KryptoPlanet, Dunamu, and others.
- Target Audience: Ethereum developers, researchers, DeFi/NFT protocol teams, and Ethereum enthusiasts.
- Impact Assessment: One of Korea’s purest technical developer gatherings. For projects built on Ethereum, ETH Seoul is a key platform to showcase technical innovation, attract Korea’s core developer community, and gain attention from global entities like the Ethereum Foundation.
#BUIDL Asia
BUIDL Asia is a technically oriented conference focused on “builders” and protocol development. Its core value lies in high-quality technical exchange and community building.
- Organizer: KryptoPlanet, among others.
- Target Audience: Core developers, blockchain researchers, protocol teams, and innovation-focused projects.
- Impact Assessment: Highly respected within Korea’s developer community, it’s an excellent venue for projects to demonstrate technical strength and code quality. Recognition at BUIDL Asia helps projects stand out during exchange technical evaluations.
#Blockchain Week in Busan (BWB)
BWB is a regional event supported by the Busan city government, aiming to realize the vision of making Busan a “blockchain city.”
- Organizer: Busan Digital Asset Nexus (BDAN), with support from the Busan city government and major media groups.
- Target Audience: Institutional leaders, regulators, local government representatives, and projects focused on RWA (real-world assets) and STO (security token offerings).
- Impact Assessment: Strong regulatory and institutional backing. For projects seeking collaboration with traditional Korean financial institutions or focusing on compliant tracks like RWA and STO, BWB offers a unique access point.
▲ Comparison of Major Korean Blockchain Conferences
Strategic Evaluation of Sponsorship for Token Listings and Brand Building
In Korea, token listing and brand building are highly specialized and regulated processes. Sponsoring top blockchain conferences is not a direct “ticket” to listing, but an essential strategic step that significantly enhances a project’s competitiveness in exchange evaluations.
#Enhancing Brand Visibility and Local Legitimacy
The Korean market places extremely high demands on localization and “local legitimacy.”
- Building Trust: Sponsoring major conferences, especially influential local ones like UDC and KBW, signals to Korean investors and regulators that a project has solid funding and a serious commitment to the market.
- Media Exposure: Korean media provide intensive coverage of these events. Through sponsorship and speaking roles, projects gain high-quality media exposure, directly reaching Korea’s crypto community.
- Technical Endorsement: Participation in ETH Seoul or BUIDL Asia provides strong technical validation. Korean exchanges—especially Upbit—place high value on technical depth, and active presence at these hardcore tech events serves as powerful proof of technical capability.
#Facilitating Listings on Upbit and Bithumb
Korea’s top five exchanges (Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit, Gopax) form the Digital Asset Exchange Alliance (DAXA), adhering to unified self-regulatory listing and delisting guidelines. Examples:
A. Strategic Focus for Upbit Listing: UDC and ETH Seoul
Upbit is operated by Dunamu, and its listing evaluation emphasizes “proof of service” and “proof of developers.”
- UDC: Offers the most direct connection to the Upbit ecosystem.
- ETH Seoul: For Ethereum-based projects, deep involvement (e.g., sponsoring hackathons) attracts attention from Upbit’s technical team, which closely monitors Ethereum ecosystem advancements.
B. Strategic Focus for Bithumb Listing: KBW
Bithumb places greater emphasis on liquidity, community engagement, and market demand.
- KBW: The best stage to showcase global influence and capture attention from Korean retail investors and market makers.
- Xangle Adoption: Demonstrating partnerships with major Korean enterprises proves commercial sustainability, meeting Bithumb’s strict quality standards.
#Strategic Summary
Sponsoring top Korean blockchain conferences is a critical component of any project’s market entry strategy. Sponsorship fees should be viewed as investments in marketing and PR. This investment helps projects stand out in Korea’s competitive and highly regulated environment, winning favor with exchanges. These conferences are strategic high grounds for market entry. Korea Blockchain Week (KBW) offers the broadest networking, Upbit D Conference (UDC) holds the highest value for Upbit listings, ETH Seoul and BUIDL Asia provide indispensable technical credibility, and BWB supports enterprise collaboration and regulatory compliance. Through strategic sponsorship and participation, projects can significantly boost their brand visibility in Korea and lay a solid foundation of local legitimacy, technical strength, and institutional trust required to meet the increasingly rigorous listing standards of exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb.
Final Thoughts
The growing influence of Korea’s crypto ecosystem has made it a key market for anyone paying attention to the future of Web3.
In 2025, Korea’s crypto ecosystem experienced rapid growth, fueled by technological advancement and cautious yet progressive regulation. The country boasts one of the world’s largest retail investor bases, with millions of active users and trading volumes rivaling traditional stock markets. Korea’s passionate yet pragmatic crypto culture is nurturing a safer, more compliant market.
As a major global crypto hub, Korea offers immense opportunities for international investors. However, to succeed in this market, overseas projects must collaborate closely with local players—media, GTM agencies, research firms, event organizers, and even individual KOLs. These partnerships are essential for understanding Korea’s unique cultural nuances, regulatory environment, and market dynamics. Local agencies can tailor marketing strategies, while research firms provide valuable insights and data to ensure compliance and market relevance. Events like Korea Blockchain Week also offer invaluable opportunities for international projects to connect with local stakeholders and bridge the gap between domestic and foreign participants. Meanwhile, local firms are eager to collaborate with international projects, making Korea highly receptive to foreign entrants.
Despite ongoing challenges—complex regulations, exchange dominance, and fierce competition for market share—Korea continues to solidify its significance in the crypto space, demonstrating how smart regulation and rapid adoption can coexist. Its rising influence underscores Korea’s status as a critical gateway for Web3 projects aiming to succeed in Asia and beyond. Building relationships with local players is not just an advantage—it is a necessity for succeeding in Korea’s crypto market.
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