Dunamu CEO Kyungseok Oh: "Expanding Globally Beyond 'Korea's No. 1'" [KBW 2026]

[Financial News] "Blockchain, which emerged by challenging the existing financial order, is now becoming new infrastructure used by traditional finance. We will expand Upbit's experience and capabilities into new financial infrastructure so that South Korea can help shape the standards for global finance."
Kyungseok Oh, CEO of Dunamu, made the remarks at the main conference of KBW 2026, held on the 30th at Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts Seoul.
Oh said the boundary between blockchain and traditional finance is becoming increasingly blurred. Traditional payment companies are actively using stablecoins, while banks are also applying blockchain to actual financial infrastructure, he explained.
Oh noted, "The distinction between traditional finance and virtual assets is becoming increasingly blurred, and they are being connected through a single global on-chain market. The competition today is about who can first create a market where people and money gather. Whoever gains an early lead will be in a position to set the standards for the next era."
However, he pointed out that South Korea remains largely confined to its domestic market. In his view, sufficient momentum has yet to be created for global capital and businesses to enter Korea and for Korean capital and businesses to connect with the world. He therefore stressed the need for three elements: accessibility, connectivity, and exportability.
Oh said, "We need to create Korea's own well-regulated harbor where the world's capital and businesses can enter with confidence, while providing predictable entry routes. The capital that enters in this way must also be connected to the Korean won. If technology and infrastructure incorporating Korea's experience become global standards, regulation will no longer be a cost."
Dunamu said it would expand its global operations beyond its current position as Korea's No. 1 player. Oh emphasized, "Upbit has broadened its customers, markets, functions and touchpoints, and the next task is to connect those capabilities to global markets. By linking Web3 financial infrastructure with Web2 users, payments and platforms, we will grow into financial infrastructure with the scale needed to compete in global markets."
He added, "We aim to connect Dunamu's capabilities into common infrastructure that various financial participants can use. We will expand the markets and liquidity, technology and trust accumulated in Korea to the world."
He further stated, "Upbit has created new trading experiences through innovation, improved convenience and trust, and evolved into a service through which more people can naturally use virtual assets. Dunamu will turn possibilities into reality as on-chain financial infrastructure linking Korea and the world."
[email protected] Lim Sang-hyuk Reporter