en.cryptonomist.ch
Korean institutional investors are gaining a new onchain gateway to real world assets through the launch of the krw1 stablecoin on the Plume platform.
Summary
Plume and BDACS launch KRW1 for institutional-grade access
Plume, a global leader in the real-world asset (RWA) sector, has partnered with BDACS (Beyond Digital Asset Custody Service) to introduce KRW1, a Korean won-denominated stablecoin issued by the digital asset custody firm. The announcement was made in New York on Feb. 3, 2026, underscoring growing cross-border collaboration in tokenized finance.
Through this collaboration, Korean investors and institutions can now make payments and investments directly in Korean won via KRW1 across Plume’s expanding ecosystem. Moreover, the initiative is designed to lower barriers to entry for domestic institutions that prefer to avoid exposure to U.S. dollar-based instruments.
“Plume currently operates one of the world’s largest RWA ecosystems, with more than 280,000 RWA holders and $645 million in RWAs. By adding KRW1 as a payment and investment instrument, we are opening a new pathway, particularly for Korean institutional investors, to enter the RWA market using a non-USD currency,” said Teddy Pornprinya, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer (CBO) of Plume.
Why Korea was chosen as Plume’s first non-USD market
Plume’s decision to select the Korean won as its first non-U.S. dollar currency reflects both regulatory readiness and institutional demand in Korea. Following amendments to the Capital Markets Act and the Electronic Securities Act in 2025, the country introduced a tokenized securities (STO) framework that formally brings security tokens into the regulated financial system.
This regulatory update is widely regarded as placing Korea among the most advanced RWA jurisdictions in Asia. Moreover, the tokenized securities korea framework has given local financial institutions clearer guidelines for experimenting with onchain products while remaining compliant.
“Korea is a market where regulation is relatively clear yet supportive of innovation. Major financial institutions are expanding investments related to RWAs and blockchain, making Korea a key strategic hub for Plume’s expansion in Asia,” added Pornprinya. That said, the company is signaling broader regional ambitions beyond its initial Korean focus.
KRW1 design, backing, and proof of concept
KRW1 was launched by BDACS in September 2025 and is fully backed by KRW deposits held in an escrow account at domestic commercial lender Woori Bank. The structure is intended to give institutions familiar safeguards while they explore onchain settlement and investment flows.
BDACS has also completed a proof of concept (PoC) covering KRW deposits, token issuance, and onchain verification. As a result, the PoC validated both the technical feasibility and operational stability of integrating a bank-backed won token into an institutional-grade RWA environment.
“Plume has established itself as an institution-ready RWA platform through embedded compliance and full EVM compatibility,” said Hong-yeol Ryu, CEO of BDACS. “The integration of KRW1 further strengthens its position as a regulation-aligned RWA infrastructure provider in Asia.” However, broader adoption will still depend on how fast local institutions move from pilots to production-scale deployment.
Expanding Plume’s RWA ecosystem with Korean won access
Plume opens access to assets from global managers including Apollo Global Management, WisdomTree, and BlackOpal. These offerings span real-estate-backed loans, private funds, and government bonds, creating a diversified universe of real world assets for qualified participants.
With the introduction of the krw1 stablecoin, Korean investors can allocate capital and receive returns directly in won rather than converting into foreign currencies. Moreover, this structure helps reduce foreign exchange costs and operational complexity for domestic firms managing cross-border portfolios.
The initiative also lays the groundwork for greater korean institutional investment in tokenized instruments, including potential future onchain issuance by Korean financial institutions. That said, its success will depend on how effectively Plume and BDACS can demonstrate robust governance, transparency, and integration with existing bank and brokerage workflows.
Strategic outlook for Asia and onchain capital markets
A key strategic objective for Plume is to build a scalable plume rwa network that connects global asset managers with compliant, local-currency rails. By leveraging KRW1 within its infrastructure, the platform is positioning itself as a preferred venue for Asia-focused RWA issuance and distribution.
Looking ahead, the partners expect the KRW-based model to support expansion to additional Asian currencies such as the Japanese yen and the Singapore dollar. Moreover, this playbook could help other jurisdictions structure onchain rails that align with their domestic regulatory frameworks, rather than relying solely on dollar-denominated stablecoins.
For BDACS, the collaboration reinforces its evolution beyond bdacs digital custody into a broader provider of tokenized settlement solutions. For Plume, it strengthens claims that its infrastructure is ready for institutions seeking regulated exposure to tokenized credit, fixed income, and alternative strategies.
About Plume and its RWA platform
Plume describes itself as the leading RWA network, enabling asset issuers and institutions to deploy onchain assets through its native infrastructure. Its flagship real-world yield protocol, Nest, is designed to help participants grow tokenized positions efficiently.
The ecosystem hosts the largest active wallet base in the RWA sector and includes more than 200 projects across multiple asset classes. Moreover, Plume aims to shape the next generation of onchain capital markets by connecting institutional-grade products with compliant blockchain rails and localized settlement options.
With the addition of KRW1, Plume’s network is increasingly aligned with Asia’s evolving regulatory landscape while offering Korean investors a direct, onchain bridge into global RWA opportunities. As the market for tokenized securities matures, KRW-denominated rails could become a key pillar of institutional adoption in the region.
In summary, the KRW1 launch on Plume brings together regulatory clarity in Korea, bank-backed stablecoin design, and a mature RWA ecosystem, creating a new template for onchain institutional participation in Asia.