Key Takeaways
- • Hana Financial Group, Posco International, and Dunamu signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop a blockchain-based cross-border remittance platform, aiming to launch within 2026.
- • Dunamu will provide GIWA Chain technology infrastructure; Hana Financial will manage financial transactions and settlement; Posco International will lead business applications across its 51-country network processing approximately 40,000 overseas remittance transactions annually.
- • Hana Financial and Dunamu completed a prior proof of concept validating the security and reliability of GIWA Chain for sensitive financial transactions, de-risking the full deployment.
- • The partnership represents institutional adoption of blockchain infrastructure by a major Korean financial services group and trading conglomerate, signaling mainstream financial sector confidence in cryptocurrency operator technology.
- • Posco International will pilot the platform using actual fund flows within its trade operations, providing real-world validation across a global supply chain spanning 51 countries.
Summary
Hana Financial Group, Posco International, and Dunamu—operator of the Upbit cryptocurrency exchange—have formalized a strategic partnership to build and deploy a blockchain-based cross-border remittance platform. The three companies signed a memorandum of understanding at Hana Financial Group headquarters in Seoul, with Vice Chair Lee Eun-hyung, Posco International President Lee Kye-in, and Dunamu CEO Oh Kyung-seok representing their respective organizations. The initiative targets completion of the real-time remittance platform within 2026.
The partnership leverages complementary capabilities across the ecosystem. Dunamu provides the foundational technology through its GIWA Chain blockchain platform, responsible for recording and managing all transaction data. Hana Financial Group assumes primary responsibility for financial operations, including remittance management, fund settlement, and payment execution. Posco International will lead business development and application strategy, utilizing its established global supply chain spanning 51 countries and processing approximately 40,000 overseas remittance transactions annually. According to Posco International, the company plans to validate the platform's effectiveness by applying it to actual fund flows within its existing trade operations.
The partnership's credibility is reinforced by prior technical validation. Hana Financial and Dunamu completed a proof of concept ahead of the formal agreement to verify the security and reliability of GIWA Chain specifically in handling sensitive financial transactions. This pre-agreement validation reduces execution risk and demonstrates institutional-grade due diligence.
Lee Kye-in characterized the partnership as establishing "a mid- to long-term foundation with leading domestic players in digital finance and digital assets," signaling strategic intent beyond an initial pilot phase. Lee Eun-hyung framed the agreement as "a significant turning point where digital assets, industry and finance converge organically," emphasizing the convergence of traditional financial infrastructure with blockchain-based settlement mechanisms. The deal represents a notable institutional validation of cryptocurrency exchange operator technology by a major financial services conglomerate and international trading company.
The partnership leverages complementary capabilities across the ecosystem. Dunamu provides the foundational technology through its GIWA Chain blockchain platform, responsible for recording and managing all transaction data. Hana Financial Group assumes primary responsibility for financial operations, including remittance management, fund settlement, and payment execution. Posco International will lead business development and application strategy, utilizing its established global supply chain spanning 51 countries and processing approximately 40,000 overseas remittance transactions annually. According to Posco International, the company plans to validate the platform's effectiveness by applying it to actual fund flows within its existing trade operations.
The partnership's credibility is reinforced by prior technical validation. Hana Financial and Dunamu completed a proof of concept ahead of the formal agreement to verify the security and reliability of GIWA Chain specifically in handling sensitive financial transactions. This pre-agreement validation reduces execution risk and demonstrates institutional-grade due diligence.
Lee Kye-in characterized the partnership as establishing "a mid- to long-term foundation with leading domestic players in digital finance and digital assets," signaling strategic intent beyond an initial pilot phase. Lee Eun-hyung framed the agreement as "a significant turning point where digital assets, industry and finance converge organically," emphasizing the convergence of traditional financial infrastructure with blockchain-based settlement mechanisms. The deal represents a notable institutional validation of cryptocurrency exchange operator technology by a major financial services conglomerate and international trading company.
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