As the legalization of securities token offerings (STOs) gains momentum, financial experiments that transform real assets into digital assets are entering the institutional system. Amid this trend, ITcen Global is entering the STO market with the issuance of "gold token securities."
ITcen Global announced on the 19th that it will begin full-scale implementation of its real-asset-based STO business, following the implementation of the STO Act, which passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 15th. Key elements of this bill include incorporating securities issuance using distributed ledger technology into institutional finance and permitting securities firms to trade investment contract securities.
The institutional overhaul has enabled piecemeal investments in real assets like gold, real estate, and art, under legal protection. Investors can now access these assets in small amounts and trade without time or location constraints. This structure simultaneously alleviates the price burden and liquidity issues that previously hindered entry into real asset investment.
ITcen Global has been preparing to enter the STO market, focusing on the Korea Gold Exchange, which boasts the largest gold distribution infrastructure in Korea. The company plans to introduce a "gold-based STO" that combines the reliability of physical gold with the transparency of blockchain technology, creating a new investment ecosystem that connects real assets and digital finance.
In particular, the Korea Gold Exchange's gold distribution network and storage infrastructure are considered to be uniquely competitive in the STO issuance market. The authenticity and storage stability of physical assets are key factors influencing the credibility of token securities and could serve as a crucial benchmark in the expansion of the institutional STO market.
ITcen Global plans to expand its STO lineup to include atypical real assets, starting with gold, rare metals, and raw materials. The group's strategy is to leverage its IT and blockchain capabilities to enhance its dedicated STO infrastructure and improve efficiency across the entire process of issuance, distribution, and management.
Furthermore, through cooperation with financial authorities and related organizations, we plan to strengthen the regulatory compliance system and institutionally support investor protection and transaction transparency. This is a stepping stone to establishing the STO market as a sustainable capital market infrastructure, not a short-term fad.
ITcen Global sees the STO legislation as a turning point for institutional realization of the vision of digitizing real assets. Its goal is to provide a safer and more innovative investment environment by combining the Korea Exchange's real asset foundation with Web3 technology.
