Key Takeaways
- • Plume signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Shinhan Asset Management to enable Korean institutional investors and asset managers to issue, trade, and settle tokenized funds denominated in Korean won (KRW) on the Plume blockchain network.
- • The collaboration establishes KRW1, a stablecoin or tokenized won mechanism, allowing Korean investors and institutions to make direct payments and investments in Korean won through Plume's real-world asset (RWA) infrastructure.
- • Shinhan Asset Management is preparing to tokenize a Korean won-denominated bond fund with 24-hour trading capability, positioning the firm as a first-mover in South Korea's emerging institutional tokenized finance market.
- • The partnership aligns with Shinhan Financial Group's broader strategy to join blockchain governance structures (including the Canton Network) and expand Korean digital financial products to global investors while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- • This MOU represents a significant step in lowering barriers for Korean institutional capital to access tokenized asset infrastructure, following similar blockchain initiatives by other major Korean financial institutions.
Summary
Plume and Shinhan Asset Management have formalized a strategic collaboration through an MOU aimed at democratizing tokenized fund issuance and trading for Korean institutional investors. The partnership centers on enabling direct Korean won-denominated transactions on Plume's blockchain network, effectively removing currency conversion friction that has historically constrained Korean institutions' participation in global tokenized asset markets.
Under the agreement, Shinhan Asset Management will leverage Plume's RWA-focused infrastructure to issue tokenized versions of Korean financial products, starting with plans to tokenize a Korean won bond fund. This represents a material expansion of institutional-grade tokenized asset offerings in South Korea, where regulatory frameworks for digital securities are rapidly maturing. The introduction of KRW1 functionality means Korean investors can settle transactions directly in won rather than relying on wrapped tokens or third-party conversions, materially improving operational efficiency and reducing counterparty risk.
Shinhan's broader digital asset strategy extends beyond the Plume partnership. The financial group has simultaneously pursued MOUs with the Canton Foundation (signed June 2-4, 2026) to study global market access for Korean tokenized assets and entered agreements with Digital Asset to develop domestic tokenization infrastructure. According to Shinhan Asset Management CEO Lee Seok-won, the Plume collaboration represents "an opportunity to introduce Shinhan Asset Management's excellent financial products to global investors while complying with domestic regulations."
The 24-hour trading capability for tokenized Korean won bond funds is particularly significant for institutional investors accustomed to traditional market hours constraints. This aligns with broader industry trends demonstrated by platforms like WisdomTree, which has deployed approximately $600 million in tokenized funds on Plume. The Plume partnership positions Shinhan to capture institutional demand for continuous settlement and global market access while maintaining alignment with Korean regulatory requirements.
This MOU signals accelerating institutional adoption of blockchain infrastructure in South Korea's financial sector, reflecting convergence between regulatory clarity, technical maturity, and institutional capital readiness for tokenized assets.
Under the agreement, Shinhan Asset Management will leverage Plume's RWA-focused infrastructure to issue tokenized versions of Korean financial products, starting with plans to tokenize a Korean won bond fund. This represents a material expansion of institutional-grade tokenized asset offerings in South Korea, where regulatory frameworks for digital securities are rapidly maturing. The introduction of KRW1 functionality means Korean investors can settle transactions directly in won rather than relying on wrapped tokens or third-party conversions, materially improving operational efficiency and reducing counterparty risk.
Shinhan's broader digital asset strategy extends beyond the Plume partnership. The financial group has simultaneously pursued MOUs with the Canton Foundation (signed June 2-4, 2026) to study global market access for Korean tokenized assets and entered agreements with Digital Asset to develop domestic tokenization infrastructure. According to Shinhan Asset Management CEO Lee Seok-won, the Plume collaboration represents "an opportunity to introduce Shinhan Asset Management's excellent financial products to global investors while complying with domestic regulations."
The 24-hour trading capability for tokenized Korean won bond funds is particularly significant for institutional investors accustomed to traditional market hours constraints. This aligns with broader industry trends demonstrated by platforms like WisdomTree, which has deployed approximately $600 million in tokenized funds on Plume. The Plume partnership positions Shinhan to capture institutional demand for continuous settlement and global market access while maintaining alignment with Korean regulatory requirements.
This MOU signals accelerating institutional adoption of blockchain infrastructure in South Korea's financial sector, reflecting convergence between regulatory clarity, technical maturity, and institutional capital readiness for tokenized assets.
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