Plume Unlocks Korean Institutional Gateway With KRW1 Stablecoin Launch

Plume, a leading real-world asset (RWA) network, has rolled out a significant expansion into the Korean market by introducing KRW1, a Korean won-denominated stablecoin developed in partnership with BDACS, a prominent digital asset custody firm. This move represents a crucial milestone for Korean institutions and investors seeking direct exposure to RWA opportunities without currency conversion friction.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for Asia’s blockchain infrastructure. With 280,000 active RWA holders and $645 million in assets already on its platform, Plume is strategically positioning itself to capture institutional capital from one of Asia’s most sophisticated financial markets. For Korean market participants, KRW1 eliminates the traditional barriers of foreign exchange costs and operational complexity that previously hindered domestic institutional participation in global RWA markets.

Why Korea Became Plume’s First International Currency Hub

Korea’s regulatory environment has fundamentally shifted. Following recent amendments to the Capital Markets Act and Electronic Securities Act, the country introduced a comprehensive tokenized securities (STO) framework that brings digital asset issuance into the regulated financial system. This framework is widely recognized as one of Asia’s most advanced RWA regulatory structures.

“Korea represents a market where regulation is clear and innovation-friendly,” explained Teddy Pornprinya, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Plume. “Major Korean financial institutions are actively expanding their blockchain and RWA investments, making the country a strategic hub for our broader Asian expansion.”

The decision signals confidence in Korea’s institutional readiness to adopt blockchain infrastructure for serious financial applications rather than speculative trading.

The Technical Foundation: Full Backing and Compliance

KRW1 launched in September 2025 through BDACS and maintains full backing through KRW deposits held in an escrow account at Woori Bank, one of Korea’s major commercial institutions. The stablecoin completed a rigorous proof of concept (PoC) that validated deposit handling, token issuance mechanics, and on-chain verification procedures.

“Plume has built itself as an institution-ready RWA platform with embedded compliance and full EVM compatibility,” noted Hong-yeol Ryu, CEO of BDACS. “KRW1’s integration strengthens Plume’s position as a regulation-aligned infrastructure provider across Asia.”

This technical architecture is designed to attract institutional players who require both compliance guarantees and operational transparency.

Opening Doors to Global Asset Classes

Plume’s ecosystem connects Korean investors to a curated selection of assets from major global managers including Apollo Global Management, WisdomTree, and BlackOpal. Asset categories span real estate-backed loans, private credit funds, and government securities—opportunities that previously demanded complex USD-based intermediation.

By transacting and receiving returns directly in won, institutional investors reduce operational overhead while gaining direct exposure to yield-generating real-world assets.

The Next Wave: Expanding Across Asian Currencies

The KRW1 launch serves as a proof point for a broader vision. Plume is actively preparing to introduce additional Asian stablecoins, with the Japanese yen and Singapore dollar identified as near-term priorities. This multi-currency approach could reshape how Asian institutions access and manage cross-border RWA investments.

Each new currency deepens Plume’s competitive moat in Asia’s institutional investment landscape while potentially accelerating adoption of on-chain asset issuance by regional financial institutions.