Landscape in Crypto Marketing: Focusing on South Korea

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available market channels and information research. IOSG does not provide any endorsements for the third-party service providers, individuals, or media mentioned in the content. This article is for reference only and does not constitute investment advice. Special thanks to Yuanjie@forgivenever and Jocy @jocyiosg for their structural suggestions. Also appreciate the feedback provided by Heechang @xparadigms, Jeff Kim @jeefeekim, Bingo @Bingo_z9, Tae Hee @taeheecrypto, 0xDaniel @0xDaniel_kr, Uno @chillguyuno, and Harry @harrychjin.

Author: @0x_Shirleyyy

Recently, a16z crypto is opening an office in Seoul to extend go-to-market support for its portfolio companies to encompass the Asia-Pacific region and gain access to this new market with regional context and knowledge.

Following up on our earlier research on KOL and Agency Landscape in Crypto Marketing: Focusing on the Greater Chinese Market, in this article, I’ll target the South Korean market. Given South Korea’s unique economic environment, rapid adoption of digital assets, and emerging regulatory framework, this report on local Exchanges&Media&Agency&Research companies aims to serve as a valuable resource for investors, startups, community builders, and interested parties.

Why is the South Korean market becoming more important in the crypto space?

South Korea is widely recognized as a global cryptocurrency hotspot, with crypto trading deeply ingrained in its financial culture. It has emerged as one of the most dynamic cryptocurrency markets in the world. And 2025 is proving to be a defining year for the industry. With over 16 million crypto users, strong mobile adoption, and a tech-savvy population, the Korean crypto landscape is booming like never before.

Adoption side

South Korea Stock & Cryptocurrency Traders Analysis (2018–2025)

From 2018 to 2025, South Korea experienced a dramatic transformation in investment patterns. Stock traders increased from 5.6 million (10.8% of the population) to 14.1 million (27.3%), representing a 152% growth. More remarkably, cryptocurrency traders surged from 2.0 million (3.9%) to 16.3 million (31.6%), marking a 715% increase. By 2025, cryptocurrency traders outnumbered stock traders for the first time, reflecting a major shift in retail investment preferences.

Major Findings on the data change:

Stock Traders:

• Grew from 5.6 million (10.8% of population) in 2018 to 14.1 million (27.3%) in 2025
• Experienced explosive 136.7% growth in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Has remained relatively stable at around 14.2 million since 2021

Cryptocurrency Traders:

• Surged from 2.0 million (3.9% of population) in 2018 to 16.3 million (31.6%) in 2025
• Represents a remarkable 715% total growth over the period
• Experienced major acceleration in 2024–2025, adding nearly 7 million new traders
• Overtook stock traders for the first time in 2025

From 2024–2025, with Bitcoin’s strong performance, ETF approvals in the US, and Trump’s pro-crypto stance, drove explosive growth. Crypto traders surged from 9.7M to 16.3M, overtaking stock traders for the first time in South Korean history, reflecting a fundamental shift in retail investment preferences.

Above data compiled from: 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 individual investors with active accounts. Crypto trader figures represent verified users on registered exchanges. Population data from UN World Population Prospects 2024 Revision and Statistics Korea.

Beyond Stocks: South Korea’s Surge in Cryptocurrency Adoption and Market Impact

Above data compiled from: 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 individual investors with active accounts. Crypto trader figures represent verified users on registered exchanges. Population data from UN World Population Prospects 2024 Revision and Statistics Korea.

Over 16 million South Koreans now hold cryptocurrency accounts, exceeding stock investors as digital asset adoption reaches new levels amid post-election momentum, FinTech Weekly in March 2025 also remarked. The combined number accounts for over 30% of the population. With the user distribution ratio of Upbit: ~5.4 million users (53% of the domestic market), Bithumb: ~3.8 million users (37% of the domestic market), Coinone: 300,000–500,000 users (<5%), and Korbit: 100,000–200,000 users (<2%).

For the number of users, the 16 million+ crypto users that South Korean CEXs served (over 30% of the country’s population), representing roughly 3% of the estimated 560 million global cryptocurrency owners/users in 2025. Note that global figures include all crypto holders, most of whom use CEXs, while South Korean users are predominantly on local regulated platforms.

Despite Bitcoin’s dominant holding volume, South Korea is emerging as a major player in the global fiat-to-crypto landscape. According to the blockchain analytics firm Chainasis’ report on the 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, while the U.S. remains the world’s largest fiat on-ramp with over $2.4 trillion in total volume — nearly four times the next-highest country, South Korea follows closely with an impressive $722 billion in volume. This strong performance underscores the country’s growing significance in the global crypto ecosystem. In comparison, the European Union registered just under $250 billion in fiat-to-crypto transactions, highlighting the scale of South Korea’s market. Among the Index Top 20 countries, South Korea is ranked 15th. With its rapid adoption and strategic role as one of the largest crypto hubs, South Korea continues to solidify its position as a key player in the global crypto economy.

Exchange side

Korean crypto exchanges are gaining influence not only regionally but also globally. Names like Upbit, Bithumb, and Coinone dominate trading volumes and continue to evolve under South Korea’s well-structured regulatory framework. Local centralized exchanges account for approximately 1.9% of global daily trading volume and roughly 3% of global CEX users as of October 2025. However, when measuring spot trading specifically, South Korea’s share reaches ~16% of global CEX spot volume, highlighting the country’s outsized influence in retail-focused fiat-to-crypto trading despite representing a smaller portion of total users.

Comparing the major markets globally, South Korea maintains its leading position as the fiat-to-crypto gateway globally and leads Asia-Pacific in transaction value, driven by exceptional per-capita adoption rates (30% vs. 6.8% globally) and a highly engaged retail trading culture.

Regulatory Impact

South Korea was one of the first nations to establish clear frameworks for trading and compliance. The government’s stance has evolved through distinct phases, in its regulatory journey, from Crackdown to Framework, each responding to market developments:

• 2017–2018: Suppression & Stability: Viewing crypto as a speculative threat, authorities implemented 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 2020 Act on Reporting and Use of Specific Financial Transaction Information, which established crucial reporting standards for VASPs.
• 2022–2023: Investor Protection Focus: Triggered by major events like the Terra-Luna collapse, this era prioritized consumer safeguards. The government introduced token security guidelines and OTC brokerage rules, laying the groundwork for future institutional products.
• 2024-Present: Institutional Integration: Cryptocurrency has become a mainstream political and financial issue. The landmark Digital Asset Basic Act (DABA), passed in June 2025, establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework encompassing asset classification, issuance rules, stablecoins, and taxation. This era is defined by the pursuit of balanced growth, exemplified by severe penalties for malpractice under laws like the Virtual Asset Users Protection Act.

The evolution reflects a government learning curve shaped by crisis responses, technological maturation, and the recognition that cryptocurrency has become a permanent fixture in the financial landscape. Till today, public figures, companies, and exchanges are also subject to disclosure and heavy monitoring. Korea is unlikely to pursue rapid loosening in regulation, but it will continue to refine policy standards progressively, striking a balance between investor protection and market growth. Over time, this could lead to expanded institutional participation, including banks offering digital asset services and securities firms engaging with tokenized financial products.

With 16 million users holding approximately $70.3 billion (102.6 trillion won) in crypto assets, the market’s depth is undeniable. For any crypto project, entry into South Korea is transitioning from an option to a strategic imperative, particularly before a Token Generation Event (TGE). When it comes to Go-To-Market, language and cultural barriers are among the challenges that cannot be overlooked. It’s quite necessary to work with local crypto players, specifically media, agencies, and research companies, even individual key opinion leaders.

The Key to Long-Term Marketing Success in the South Korean

Realistic Expectations for Success: Long-term success in Korea depends on coordinated marketing with clear milestones. Agencies stress that it takes at least 2–3 months to build brand awareness and community engagement before a listing, and expecting fast trading volume increases within the first two months is unrealistic.

Campaign Duration and User Attention: Campaigns that last beyond three months may lose user attention due to the crowded market and quick-moving retail traders. Agencies aim to maintain momentum without dragging campaigns on too long.

Focus on Brand Awareness and Community Building: Building brand awareness, engaging key opinion leaders (KOLs), issuing press releases, and community building, rather than focusing solely on increasing trading volume, could bring longer-term followers and project token holders.

KOL Engagement: Building strong, meaningful relationships with KOLs requires events, translations, and incentives like whitelist spots, leading to better project understanding and advocacy.

Tailored Marketing for Different Client Types: Marketing services are customized for pre-TGE (Token Generation Event), post-TGE, and B2B institutional clients:

• Pre-TGE clients require urgent, intensive marketing support for 2–3 months to build market readiness in Korea.
• Post-TGE projects continue marketing to maintain momentum and evaluate team strength.
• B2B clients focus on institutional outreach, with exposure beyond retail channels and specialized events.

According to the agency, projects like 0G and Sahara AI benefited from agency support, with agencies contributing up to 40% of their node sale volumes. SUI’s growth from $0.4 to $4 over two years highlights the importance of tight coordination between internal marketing, agency alignment, and market maker strategies. The Korean crypto market has a fragmented agency and research landscape with a few dominant players and mixed reputations. In the following session, I will give a brief introduction to major local Media, Agencies, and Research companies.

Introduction to Major Media Agencies

Crypto media in South Korea plays a crucial role in helping projects navigate the local market, offering a unique advantage due to its deep understanding of South Korean trends, regulatory environment, and cultural nuances. With a highly engaged and tech-savvy audience, South Korean crypto media provides tailored content that resonates with both retail investors and institutional players. The combination of broad reach and localized expertise, and active community engagement makes them an essential partner for projects looking to successfully enter and thrive in South Korea. This section highlights several leading media outlets to help projects better understand the media landscape in this key market. (in no particular order)

🔥Followin (@followin_)

Overview:

Followin is an AI-powered crypto news platform that aggregates the entire crypto internet — news, Twitter/X, KOL opinions, on-chain signals — and turns them into real-time trading intelligence feeds for retail investors. Founded in 2022, Followin has grown into Asia’s leading crypto information infrastructure with over 3 million users across APAC markets and is gaining momentum in South Korea. The platform differentiates itself through a smarter AI news engine that delivers trending topics and the fastest market-moving signals.

Key Features:

• Real-Time News: Sub-second alerts on market-moving news and price-sensitive events.
• Alpha Signals: AI-curated early-stage narratives, whale activity, and breakout opportunities.
• Social Sentiment Analysis: Tracks X/TG data and top-tier KOL trading calls to detect sentiment shifts.
• Earn & Rewards: Participate in airdrop campaigns, earn token rewards, and engage in quests.

Followin’s Services:

Leveraging its large-scale retail traffic and extensive regional resource network, Followin has successfully supported numerous crypto projects in achieving zero-to-one marketing growth across the Asia-Pacific market. Followin provides an integrated go-to-market service layer for crypto projects across APAC, combining real-time media distribution, localized user growth solutions, and deep KOL agency networks into a unified launch and growth engine.

• PR Services — Breaking news, PR distribution, online campaigns.
• User Growth in APAC — One-stop solutions with localized marketing strategies.
• KOL Agency Services — KOL, community & exchange connections.

Followin emphasizes regional partnerships, co-hosting events, and supporting the Web3 ecosystem. Its collaborations help amplify media presence, strengthen crypto branding, and facilitate community building across Asia. The platform’s PR services, specialized KOL connections, and multi-language channels support crypto projects in reaching new audiences and boosting brand awareness.

Core competitive advantages:

• High-quality retail trading users, with 3M+ on App & Web, 1.7M+ on social channels.
• Regional & Multilingual Focus: Supports English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese with real-time translations, covering key markets in South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China.
• APAC networks — Deep ties with KOLs, media & communities.

Followin is Asia’s leading mobile AI aggregator, leveraging the region’s high mobile penetration and multilingual demand among retail traders. By integrating quite a bunch of 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:

Launched in 2018, Coinness 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, 150,000+ daily active users, and 300,000 registered community members, making it the leading destination for breaking crypto news and project exposure.

Coinness operates a web service while remaining mobile app–led at its core, successfully building a large-scale app-based crypto news and community platform — an achievement unmatched by Korea’s legacy, 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.

Key Features & Services::

• Breaking news: 24/7 real-time news updates on the homepage, ensuring concise and impactful communication.
• Newsroom PR: Traditional PR articles with in-depth insights, pinned at the top of the newsroom for enhanced visibility.
• Research: Detailed articles exploring the technical aspects of crypto projects.
• Interview: Text-based interviews featuring responses to set questions.
• Pop-up banner: Partners can display promotional banners on the platform to increase visibility.
• CoinNess Night Live (CNL): An interactive AMA-style event held in the Coinness Telegram community, with over 1,000 KYC-verified participants on average.
• Price Aggregation: Real-time digital asset prices, including detailed market data on liquidation rates, long-short ratios, funding rates, and open interests.

Core Competitive Advantages

• Real-Time Asian Market Intelligence: Coinness specializes in sub-minute coverage of Korean exchange activities (e.g., Bithumb, Upbit), tracking regulatory developments across Asia. This gives traders a competitive edge, particularly for arbitrage and market regulation insights.
• Integrated News-to-Trading Flow: By combining breaking news alerts with real-time trading (spot and futures), Coinness offers a seamless user experience from news discovery to position execution.
• Deep Korean Market Expertise: With 7+ years of Korean market focus, Coinness maintains unparalleled depth in local crypto culture, regulatory nuances, and community preferences that global competitors struggle to replicate.
• Mobile-First Architecture: The platform is optimized for mobile, offering push notifications, customizable alerts, and offline reading, catering to Asia’s high mobile penetration and outperforming web-based competitors in the region.

Key Differentiators

Unlike traditional web-based media, Coinness applies strict MAU criteria, counting only actual engaged users rather than one-off page visitors. This methodology delivers stronger and more reliable performance across traffic, views, and user engagement, establishing a clear data-driven advantage in the domestic crypto media landscape. This data credibility has been recognized by leading institutions, leading Coinness to collaborate on advertising campaigns with major enterprises such as Kakao Bank, Hanwha Investment & Securities, and Bithumb — a distinction rarely achieved among Web3-native media platforms.

Coinness provides 24/7 coverage of cryptocurrency and blockchain developments, delivering real-time breaking news, market analysis, price indices, and professional insights. Its Breaking News is distributed via 30+ API partners, including exchanges and media platforms, and is widely and organically cited by traditional media and crypto KOLs, enabling rapid information dissemination across the industry.

As Asia’s leading mobile-first crypto media aggregator, Coinness combines speed, cultural relevance, and integrates trading features to capture the regional market. The platform’s success lies in its ability to deliver real-time, actionable intelligence to active Asian traders. Coinness’s strong roots in local markets and seamless integration of news with trading tools position it as a premier real-time crypto media platform in Asia.

🔥Blockmedia (@with_blockmedia)

Overview:

Blockmedia, launched in 2017, defines itself as Korea’s first blockchain media, leading the market and #1 category rank in crypto. It is a specialized media outlet dedicated to educating and engaging audiences on blockchain and cryptocurrency. Originally an online media platform, Blockmedia now engages with investors through various channels, including YouTube, Telegram, and X. The platform gained significant recognition through its annual “BlockFesta” conference, which attracts global blockchain projects. With 36K+ social followers and 58.7K YouTube subscribers, Blockmedia maintains 4 million monthly users, and it stands out for its comprehensive real-time coverage, global project interviews, and original research, solidifying its market leadership in the region.

Key Services & Features:

• Press Release: Press releases on Blockmedia with distribution to Telegram (35K followers), including translation and editing. Enhances exposure via Google SEO, Naver, and Telegram.
• Featured Article: In-house research articles that provide detailed insights into partner projects, published on Blockmedia’s official channels and CoinMarketCap.
• Interview (Video/Text): Interviews with articles produced by the Blockmedia Production Team. Published on YouTube (58.7K subscribers) and shared across Telegram and Twitter.
• External Transmission: Distribution through other Web3 media outlets to maximize reach and visibility to retail traders and users.
• KOL Bridging: Blockmedia will selectively onboard top-tier KOLs to enhance content promotion and marketing campaigns, with tailored budgets for each KOL.

Platform highlight

• News and Market Coverage: Real-time crypto and stock market updates, with in-depth coverage of tech, industry trends, and major announcements.
• Regulatory Expertise: Detailed Korean regulatory coverage, including updates on stablecoins and local market policies.
• Interview/People: CEO interviews, live events, and market analysis from industry leaders.
• Research: Proprietary reports on token analysis, investment insights, DeFi protocol security, market dynamics, and predictions, developed in collaboration with other research firms.
• Video Content Excellence: YouTube channel maintains 58.7K subscribers with 9.65M total views across 3,744 videos, featuring daily content like Fed rate analysis and protocol deep-dives.
• Live Information Streams: Hourly news updates via Telegram, with market data and breaking news alerts delivered in real-time.

Competitive Advantages

• Regulatory Excellence: Blockmedia offers superior in-depth coverage of Korean regulations, real-time incident updates, and institutional intelligence. Its regulatory analysis goes beyond simple news aggregation, offering contextual insights that are unmatched by competitors.
• Original Research: Blockmedia produces proprietary research through dedicated analysts, providing exclusive market reports and insights.
• Video Content Leadership: With its “블미 TV” channel, Blockmedia leads in video content, offering daily updates and technical deep-dives on global projects, Fed rates, and more, setting it apart from local competitors.
• Comprehensive Multimedia Coverage: Unlike other media platform that leads in mobile-first approaches, Blockmedia excels in web-based, multimedia content, combining traffic performance with content depth.

Blockmedia’s balanced approach, combining high traffic performance, proprietary research, and multimedia engagement, makes it a leading platform for both institutional and retail crypto audiences in Korea. The platform’s superior regulatory coverage and original research position it as the go-to source for sophisticated investors and Web3 projects seeking broad exposure and in-depth insights. Blockmedia continues to lead in web-based coverage, catering to a diverse audience with comprehensive news, interviews, videos, and research.

🔥Bloomingbit 블루밍비트(@bloomingbit_io)

Overview:

Bloomingbit (블루밍비트) is a prominent South Korean cryptocurrency and blockchain media platform. Established as part of the Hankyung Media Group — Korea’s largest financial media conglomerate — Bloomingbit focuses on delivering trusted, real-time news and insights to crypto investors, emphasizing clarity and usability to help users make informed decisions without sifting through scattered sources. The platform positions itself as the starting point for coin investments, offering hand-picked stories by dedicated blockchain reporters catering to both Korean and international audiences through bilingual content. Their team is made up of writers and editors, targeting the global English-speaking market. They take complex stories and share them in clear, easy English.

Key features:

• Real-time breaking news updates, expert-curated insights on market-moving events, and a user-friendly interface that aggregates crypto information “at a glance.”
• Supports mobile accessibility through its app, which converts complex stories into actionable insights and integrates social media sharing for a broader reach.
• In-depth analyss like 2026 Bitcoin forecasts, coverage of major deals, and reports on economic intersections.
• Various crypto content types: Startups launching tokens, exchanges listing coins, developers shipping products, PR agencies working with crypto clients, Projects running IDOs or ICOs, DAO governance, etc.

Bloomingbit’s Key Services:

• Organic News Publishing: contents (not promotion-driven) chosen by editors. (Token launches, Technology updates, industry partnerships, public events, and reports, etc.)
• Paid Content Placement: promotional or time-sensitive content (Exchange listing, Token sales, product launch, AMA announcement, etc.)
• Press release publishing: format the press release for SEO and tag it properly to achieve long-term search engine ranking. (company updates, financial reports, investor news, security audits, protocol changes, etc.)

Services encompass comprehensive news coverage on blockchain, Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, DeFi, Web3, altcoins, regulatory developments, exchange activities (e.g., Upbit, Bithumb), and global trends, often with a Korean market focus.

Core Competitive Edge:

• Credibility and Backing from Traditional Media: As part of Hankyung, Bloomingbit benefits from established journalistic standards and a broader financial network, setting it apart from other independent outlets. This gives Bloomingbit an edge in attracting serious investors。
• Curated Insights and User-Focused Content: Bloomingbit’s emphasis on hand-picked, actionable stories by reporters contrasts with other media’s rapid-fire updates, which can overwhelm users. Distribution channels include — Upbit, Bithumb, Tradingview, hankyung.com, Naver News, and more.
• Event & Thought Leadership: Bloomingbit’s active role in conferences like Korea Investment Week highlights its influence, and its market integration forecasts and economic analyses, appealing to investors amid Korea’s high crypto traffic (leading Asia).

Bloomingbit’s combination of traditional media support, curated content, and bilingual accessibility makes it a strong choice for reliable crypto information in South Korea. Although it may not have the highest traffic among major platforms, its affiliation with Hankyung, Korea’s largest economic journal, and backing from local investment firm Hashed provide a significant advantage in credibility and depth, as well as exposure to institutions. As a subsidiary of Hankyung, Bloomingbit is gaining momentum in the market.

🔥TokenPost (tokenpost)

Overview:

TokenPost is South Korea’s pioneering blockchain and digital asset media platform. Founded in 2017 as the country’s first specialized blockchain media outlet, TokenPost has evolved into a comprehensive hub that bridges domestic and global blockchain industries, emphasizing trust, global outreach, and expertise in its reporting. With over 5.2 million monthly visitors, 16.4 million page views, and more than 1.1 million newsletter subscribers, it ranks as the leading domestic blockchain media by traffic, delivering fact-based insights on cryptocurrency, DeFi, AI, Web3, policy, and industry trends rather than sensational hype.

Key Features:

• Massive Scale and Reach: Attracts over 5.2 million monthly visitors and 16.4 million page views, demonstrating strong user loyalty through high direct visits.
• Bilingual & Global Focus: Offers content in Korean and English, with expansions into markets like Thailand, facilitating international access to Korea-specific crypto news and trends.
• Innovative Tools & Integrations: Offers real-time price tracking(e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, HBAR, BNB, XRP), blockchain-notarized articles for transparency, a KOL Index for influencer impact measurement, and a TokenPost Podcast for audio insights.
• Data-Driven Analytics: Features the TPI (TokenPost Index) for market trend gauging and partnerships with data providers like Kaiko and Messari for in-depth research.

Key Services

• News Dissemination: Provides objective, fact-based coverage of blockchain, crypto markets, DeFi, AI, Web3, regulatory updates, and security issues, including breaking news and exclusive interviews.
• Research & Insights: Delivers deep analyses, hidden market insights, and educational content via the Knowledge Encyclopedia to lower entry barriers for users.
• Portfolio Management Tool: South Korea’s first integrated crypto portfolio service, allowing users to track assets across exchanges, simulate strategies, view performance rankings, and receive tailored news.
• Community & Events: Hosts interactive forums, reward-based lounges, and offline events such as roadshows for networking and industry education.

Core Competitive Edge:

TokenPost differentiates itself among leading media outlets through its top traffic rankings, innovative tools, and bridging role between local and global markets:

• Scale & Reach: High monthly visitors and robust domestic traffic, coupled with broader international access that outperforms competitors.
• Innovation & Utility: TokenPost’s portfolio management tool, blockchain notarization, and KOL Index set it apart as more than just news, offering practical user value that competitors lack. TokenPost integrates data analytics and simulations for deeper engagement, akin to its “intelligence media” positioning.
• Content Depth & Expertise: Focusing on insights, exclusive interviews, and research (e.g., partnerships with Kaiko, Messari), TokenPost provides objective analysis over hype. TokenPost’s event hosting (e.g., Onchain Symposium) and policy focus give it stronger thought leadership in the market.
• Global and Partnership Focus: Expansions (Thailand) and collaborations (Crypto.com, Chiliz) position TokenPost ahead of more local outlets.

Overall, TokenPost’s combination of massive scale, user-centric tools, and insightful content makes it a frontrunner for fostering a sustainable crypto ecosystem in South Korea’s dynamic market, where it leads in traffic and innovation while bridging to global audiences.

Introduction to Major Go-To-Market Agencies

The role of agencies in the Korean crypto market is self-evident, with several high-performing agencies — including those preferring to remain anonymous — playing pivotal roles. Here, we highlight three agencies, INF CryptoLab, 071Labs, and DeSpread, based on existing data and information, specifically highlighting their capabilities in crypto marketing. For further information on agencies, feel free to reach out to us at any time. (in no particular order)

🔥INF CryptoLab (@INF_CryptoLab)

Overview:

INF CryptoLab is a leading Web3 accelerator and marketing firm in South Korea, known for its rapid success since its establishment in 2020. As one of the largest Korean marketing agencies, INF has gained a strong reputation for helping crypto projects navigate and thrive in the South Korean market.

Key Services:

• KOL Marketing & Management: Narrative building and strategic planning for sustained brand presence. Identify top-performing KOLs to maximize results with minimal spending. Tailored content and continuous exposure, not just one-off posts. Performance tracking with actionable data.
• Research & Education: Comprehensive research is exposed across Web2/Web3 platforms, media, and academic spaces. Educational content is delivered both online and offline to build market awareness.
• SEO/SEM & Blogs: Collaboration with leading blog KOLs for top search engine visibility, focusing on platforms like NAVER.
• Traditional & Crypto PR: Expertise in selecting the right media partners for broad exposure. Full coverage across 20+ media platforms in both Web2 and Web3 spaces.
• Event Hosting (Online & Offline): Extensive experience organizing crypto events, including networking, meet-ups, and hackathons. Assistance with online events like AMAs and community engagement initiatives. YouTube/TV interview: Opportunity for projects to be featured on top Korean entrepreneurship YouTube channels.
• Community Management: Managing and building Korean Telegram communities, driving engagement with KOL support and localized events.

Key Partners & Collaborations:

INF CryptoLab has worked with top global Web3 projects, including Sui, Avalanche, Injective, NEO, Openledger, Sahara, Magic Labs, Walrus and more. They also collaborate with notable players like Uniswap, Mantle, 0g labs, Orbiter Finance, Oasys, Hashkey Global, Plume, Kite AI, RedStone, ZKPass, Jito, Pyth, and more others.

Note-Worthy Case Studies:

• SUI: Exclusive marketing partner in Korea for 2.5 years, working with various projects on the SUI platform.
• 0G Labs: Contributed to 30% of their node sale volume through KOL influence.
• Aethir: Led token and product go-to-market strategies, generating revenue from Korean institutions.
• Hyundai Card Conference: Successfully partnered with Hyundai Card for events.
• Kite AI: KOL+INF Centric model to boost KR Mindshare and secure listing opportunities in Korea.

INF CryptoLab offers flexible, high-quality services with a team of contract-based freelance KOLs. Their customized service packages cover both Web2 and Web3 channels, ensuring overseas projects a successful market entry in South Korea.

🔥071Labs (@071_labs)

Overview:

071 Labs is Korea’s leading GTM incubator and VC, recognized for its significant client base and market presence. They support the growth of blockchain startups and promising projects by leveraging innovative blockchain technologies, investments, and diverse business models. By working closely with projects, KOLs, and media, 071 Labs helps bring ideas to life, enabling its partners to lead in the digital economy.

Key Services:

• KOL Ambassador Programs & Syndicates:Curating and managing KOL ambassador programs and syndicates to boost project visibility and credibility.
• PR & Media Outreach:PR and article placements across both crypto and traditional mainstream media to enhance brand presence and secure strategic media coverage.
• Community Setup & Viral Marketing:Building and managing online communities, driving viral marketing campaigns to foster engagement and awareness in Korea.
• YouTube Content Creation:Developing and producing YouTube content to promote projects and reach broader audiences.
• Blogging, Editorial Services & SEO:Content creation, blog posts, and SEO strategies to increase online visibility and drive traffic.

Key Case Studies/ Track Record:

• Perp DEX growth: Drove billions in trading volume to perpetual DEX partners.
• Node distribution in Korea: Generated $2M in node sales for Aethir, Carv, Delysium, and Moonveil.
• Web2 → on-chain user acquisition: Helped bring Web2 users on-chain — making Korea the #2 market for Catizen, delivering $1M in gaming revenue within 8 months.
• Founder visibility (Web2 retail reach): Secured legacy media interviews to strengthen the founders’ digital presence and reach Web2 retail audiences.
• PMF support for Web2 companies: Built and promoted the Tada mini app to support Tada’s service offerings and refine PMF.

Marketing & Investment Portfolio:

071 Labs has worked with top-tier blockchain projects on the marketing side, 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

and on the investment side, 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, 071 Labs offers a comprehensive ecosystem for blockchain projects, covering everything from funding and marketing to community building and viral growth. They own Dokdo DAO, Korea’s largest KOL DAO with 50,000+ members, and Blockstreet, a leading Korean crypto PR/media outlet with 4,000 DAU, providing a competitive edge in the market.

By pioneering blockchain technology and reshaping cryptocurrency ecosystems, 071 Labs creates innovative business models and unlocks new opportunities. Their focus on partnering with innovators, creatives, and dreamers accelerates startup growth through strategic investments, technical expertise, and collaborative partnerships. 071 Labs is dedicated to ensuring long-term innovation and market leadership, building sustainable foundations for the future of the digital economy. As architects of the blockchain space, they are the ideal partner for projects seeking to revolutionize the industry.

🔥DeSpread(@DeSpreadTeam)

Overview:

DeSpread, founded in 2019*, is the most renowned web3 growth studio by client size and market presence,* providing Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy consulting for blockchain projects targeting the APAC region. With a team of over 30 experts, DeSpread has pioneered and keeps innovating the growth of the Korean web3 GTM scene. DeSpread has supported more than 100 global blockchain projects without external investment. The agency is recognized for driving Web3 growth in South Korea by delivering data-driven strategies that help overseas projects successfully enter the Korean market.

Key Services:

• Brand Consulting:Tailored GTM strategy with market insights and narrative development. Consulting on Web3 product-market fit and branding. Building local partnerships and providing ecosystem support for market entry.
• Growth Strategy & Media Communication:Data-driven consulting for product growth and marketing strategies. Media relations, crisis management, and social media strategy. Comprehensive on/offline campaign operation and media distribution.
• Research & Market Insight:In-depth market research reports and data-driven insights. Helping clients stay updated with industry trends and build valuable connections.
• Validator Services:Validator & Infrastructure: Operating mainnet validators for multiple networks such as Hyperliquid, Berachain, Story, Monad, Stacks, and Avail, while also serving as an LST validator on Berachain, Hyperliquid, and Monad, providing a trusted technical presence in the region.
• DAT Strategist:Pioneering Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) opportunities in Korea. Connecting global DAT investors with top-tier financial institutions in Korea. Structuring customized strategies for asset acquisition and offering tailored solutions for investors with different risk profiles.

Key Partners & Case Studies:

As the earliest and oldest established GTM firm in Korea, in its early years, DeSpread had Solana, Stacks, The Sandbox, Filecoin, etc. Also moving up the years, they had Aptos, Sui, Arbitrum, Berachain, Soneium, Story, Babylon, Gensyn, and many more in their successful partner and case list.

As a deep ecosystem participant, DeSpread is dedicated to facilitating comprehensive GTM strategies through a two-track framework: (1) matching on-chain product providers with existing & potential on-chain user demand, (2) bridging projects with investment decision-makers through education and relations. These objectives are grounded in its core services — Brand Consulting, Growth Strategy, Research, and Validator Services, strategically incorporating DAT coverage as a special vehicle into the ecosystem, to facilitate institutional cooperation and enterprise utility. DeSpread has expanded its capability to cover both Retail and Wholesale adoption through DATCON2025 conference, achieving a holistic GTM coverage for both users and investors.

Introduction to Major Research Companies

Exchanges rely heavily on these research reports for due diligence on listings, underscoring the importance of neutral, credible research for market participation. With Four Pillars and Tiger Research, Xangle as the top players, South Korea’s research firm ecosystem is consolidating into a powerful force that shapes its cryptocurrency markets. (in no particular order)

🔥FourPillars (@FourPillarsFP)

Overview:

FourPillars is one of Asia’s fastest-growing crypto research firms, based in Seoul, specializing in professional, data-driven analysis for institutions and crypto natives. Founded with a focus on delivering high-quality insights, the company aims to shape Asia’s blockchain narrative through research, infrastructure, and influence. With a team of expert researchers, they are now expanding their influence beyond Korea into both the English-speaking world and the broader Asian market.

Core Business & Highlights

Four Pillars’ core business revolves around producing in-depth research to bridge institutional investors and the crypto ecosystem. The firm collaborates with blockchain projects to contribute to ecosystem growth, including business expansion in Korea and developer opportunities. They also launched their validator brand — FP Validated to facilitate the ecosystem.

• Research Reports and Articles: Comprehensive guides and outlooks, neutral research content targeting builders, retailers, and investors.
• Validator Services: Launched a thesis-driven blockchain validator for L1/L2 blockchains, targeting investors and traders.
• Data-Driven Tools: Public dashboards for crypto projects to analyze and showcase key metrics.
• Ecosystem Contributions: Event recaps and collaborative initiatives to foster Korean market entry for global projects.

Strengths & Conclusion:

FourPillars specializes in institutional-grade, forward-looking research, offering in-depth technical analyses (e.g., ZK proving, RWAs, ecosystem outlooks). Its research is designed to help crypto natives with strategic planning, while its narrative-driven approach combines technical depth with actionable insights for ecosystem development. This focus sets FourPillars apart from competitors.

• Selective Validator: Only operates top-tier validators on curated chains.
• Proven Product-Market Fit: Research has already demonstrated clear market applicability.
• Scalable Growth: Validators are used strategically to scale, not distract from the core business.
• Trusted by Industry Leaders: Trusted by founders, funds, and communities alike.
• First-Mover Advantage: A pioneer in shaping Korea’s institutional crypto narrative.
• Expanding Regional Influence: Growing its presence across broader Asia.

🔥TigerResearch (@tiger_research)

Overview:

Tiger Research is a South Korean research and consulting firm specializing in the Web3 and blockchain sectors, with a strong focus on the Asian market. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Seoul, the company operates additional teams in key cities like Tokyo, Hanoi, and Jakarta, extending its expertise to regions including Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and China. Tiger Research guides global Web3 projects entering and expanding in Asia, providing end-to-end solutions and leveraging a deep understanding of local markets.

Core Business & Highlights:

Tiger Research positions itself as a “Sherpa” for global Web3 projects in Asia, offering a comprehensive, execution-focused approach to market entry. The firm combines bottom-up market research with result-oriented business strategies, minimizing risks and accelerating growth for its clients. Tiger Research emphasizes long-term partnerships, problem-solving, and the use of local networks to create sustainable success in complex markets.

• Market Research & Reports: Customized, in-depth reports on regulations, market trends, and ecosystem dynamics. Published twice weekly, these reports track the latest developments in countries like South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
• Business Development & Consulting: Provides tailored Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies, regulatory compliance guidance, and market entry solutions. Offers daily tracking of government policies and trends in target regions.
• Partnerships & Ecosystem Building: Leverages 30+ local partnerships to facilitate collaborations and create synergies. Examples include co-publishing reports with other research firms on Southeast Asian markets. Also serves as a research partners for events like Malaysia Blockchain Week.

Strengths & Conclusion:

Tiger Research distinguishes itself through its hands-on, execution-focused approach and regional expertise, setting it apart from data-centric or global firms in the South Korean crypto research landscape. The firm offers customized research reports on regulations, market trends, and business dynamics, focusing on practical execution rather than ideation. This emphasis on delivering results allows clients to quickly adapt and scale in fast-evolving markets.

Tiger Research provides end-to-end solutions, from market analysis to full Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies, helping clients minimize risks and accelerate growth. Its multi-regional presence, combined with deep local networks and a trust-building ethos, positions it as a practical and reliable partner for Web3 growth in Asia. By prioritizing actionable insights and long-term partnerships, Tiger Research is uniquely equipped to navigate the complexities of the region and deliver sustainable success for its clients.

🔥Xangle (@Xangle_official)

Overview:

Xangle is a South Korean Web3 research and infrastructure firm specializing in institution-grade market research, on-chain ecosystem infrastructure and transparency tools for the Web3 ecosystem. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Seoul, Xangle is widely recognized as a key analytical reference point for the Korean crypto market, one of the world’s largest crypto trading hubs. Xangle’s mission is to empower businesses and investors with data-driven decision-making while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Core Business & Highlights:

Xangle’s work is anchored in research, which serves as the foundation for its broader role in ecosystem transparency and infrastructure. Its core activities include protocol-level analysis, research publication, and operation of on-chain infrastructure such as explorers and validator nodes.

• Research & Market Intelligence: Delivers institution-grade research on regulatory updates and future outlooks, available on platforms like Bloomberg Terminal for institutional users.
• Protocol Disclosure & Information Standards: Maintains standardized disclosure frameworks for blockchain projects, focusing on accurate representation of protocol mechanics, governance structures, and token design.
• Blockchain Explorer & Ecosystem Infrastructure: Designs and operates official blockchain explorers and ecosystem hubs for L1 and L2 networks, providing integrated access to on-chain data, governance information, and ecosystem overviews.
• Validator & On-Chain Operations: Operates validator infrastructure for selected blockchain networks, contributing to network security and governance participation.

Strengths & Conclusion:

Xangle sets itself apart through its quantitative, on-chain data focus and institutional integrations, positioning it as a leading platform for real-time analytics and compliance in the Asian crypto market. Unlike other qualitative or consulting-oriented firms, Xangle delivers empirical data with a strong focus on regulatory alignment and market transparency, particularly suited for South Korea’s strict crypto environment. Its data reliability, regulatory focus, and global integrations make Xangle an invaluable tool for institutions, exchanges, and crypto projects in Asia’s competitive landscape.

Introduction and Strategic Value Assessment of Major Blockchain Conferences in South Korea

South Korea’s blockchain conference ecosystem is mature and diverse, with major events categorized into global festivals, exchange-led developer conferences, technology-oriented builder gatherings, and government-supported regional activities. Below is a detailed introduction to the five major conferences, covering key information such as the conference overview, organizers, target audience, and impact assessment. Furthermore, the report focuses on evaluating the strategic value of sponsoring these events for token projects seeking listing on major Korean exchanges, such as Upbit or Bithumb, and enhancing the project’s local brand awareness.

Overview of Major Blockchain Conferences in South Korea

👉Korea Blockchain Week (KBW)

KBW is South Korea’s largest and most internationally influential annual blockchain festival, held every year since 2018. It is not just an industry conference but a week-long Web3 festival, with its core being the flagship conference “IMPACT”.

• Organizers: FACTBLOCK (Founder & Host), co-hosted by institutions like Hashed (a major crypto venture capital firm).
• Target Audience: Global Web3 leaders, top developers, international investors, corporate executives, and general crypto enthusiasts.
• Impact Assessment: KBW serves as the primary bridge connecting global projects with the Korean market. It boasts the highest media exposure and the broadest international participation, making it the preferred platform for establishing global and Korean market networks.

👉Upbit D Conference (UDC)

UDC is a global blockchain conference hosted by Dunamu, the operator of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit . Originally known as the “Upbit Developer Conference,” it has expanded to cover technology, policy, and industry trends.

• Organizers: Dunamu (Operator of Upbit).
• Target Audience: Blockchain developers, industry experts, regulatory representatives, and stakeholders focused on the Upbit ecosystem.
• Impact Assessment: UDC holds the highest direct strategic value for projects seeking an Upbit listing. It is a non-profit event aimed at ecosystem development, and a project’s presence at UDC is seen as a strong signal of Upbit’s recognition of its technology and ecosystem value.

👉ETH Seoul

ETH Seoul is an annual developer event focused on the Ethereum ecosystem, typically including a hackathon and a technical summit . It is the core activity for the global Ethereum community in South Korea.

• Organizers: KryptoPlanet, supported by institutions like Dunamu.
• Target Audience: Ethereum developers, researchers, DeFi/NFT protocol teams, and Ethereum enthusiasts.
• Impact Assessment: It is one of South Korea’s most purely technical developer gatherings. For projects built on Ethereum, ETH Seoul is a crucial platform for showcasing technical innovation, attracting the core Korean developer community, and gaining attention from global institutions like the Ethereum Foundation.

👉BUIDL Asia

BUIDL Asia is a technology-oriented conference focused on “Builders” and protocol development . Its core value lies in high-quality technical exchange and community building.

• Organizers: KryptoPlanet, among others.
• Target Audience: Core developers, blockchain researchers, protocol teams, and projects focused on technological innovation.
• Impact Assessment: It enjoys a high reputation within the Korean developer community and is an excellent venue for projects to demonstrate their technical strength and code quality. For technology-driven projects, recognition at BUIDL Asia helps them stand out during the exchange’s technical evaluation process.

👉Blockchain Week in Busan (BWB)

BWB is a regional event supported by the Busan Metropolitan City, aiming to promote Busan’s vision as a “blockchain city”.

• Organizers: Busan Digital Asset Nexus (BDAN), supported by the Busan City government and major media groups.
• Target Audience: Institutional leaders, regulatory officials, local government representatives, and projects focused on RWA (Real World Assets) and STO (Security Token Offerings).
• Impact Assessment: It has a strong regulatory and institutional background. For projects seeking cooperation with traditional Korean financial institutions or focusing on compliance tracks, such as RWA and STO, BWB offers a unique point of contact.

Strategic Assessment of Sponsoring Events for Token Listing and Brand Building

In South Korea, token listing and brand building are highly specialized and regulated processes. Sponsoring top blockchain conferences is not a direct “pass” to listing but an indispensable strategic step that significantly enhances a project’s competitiveness in exchange evaluations.

Enhancing Brand Awareness and Local Legitimacy

The Korean market has extremely high demands for localization and “Local Legitimacy.”

• Building Trust: Sponsoring major conferences, especially the highly influential UDC and KBW, sends a signal to Korean investors and regulators that the project is financially stable and seriously committed to the Korean market. This public commitment is the first step in building trust.
• Media Exposure: Local Korean media coverage of these conferences is intense. By sponsoring and speaking at the events, projects can gain high-quality media exposure, directly reaching the Korean crypto community, thereby rapidly boosting brand awareness.
• Technical Endorsement: Participation in ETH Seoul or BUIDL Asia provides a strong technical endorsement for the project. Korean exchanges (especially Upbit) highly value a project