Mirae Asset Eyes Korbit Deal Worth Up to $100M Amid Korea Crypto Shift

• Mirae Asset explores Korbit acquisition as Korea’s crypto regulations gradually evolve
• Traditional finance interest grows as licensed crypto exchanges gain strategic value
• Korbit’s low volume contrasts with rising institutional demand for compliant platforms

South Korea’s crypto sector entered renewed focus following reports of takeover discussions. According to The Chosun Daily, Mirae Asset Group is in talks to acquire Korbit. The reported valuation sits between $70 million and $100 million, or ₩100 billion to ₩140 billion. Moreover, the talks reflect growing interest in regulated crypto platforms.

Based on the report, Mirae Asset Consulting is leading the negotiations on behalf of the group. This unit operates as a non-financial affiliate within the broader Mirae Asset structure. Consequently, the deal structure appears designed to align with local regulations. South Korea maintains a clear separation between financial firms and crypto businesses.

Also Read: Pundit: People Who Say XRP Can’t Go Past $10,000 Are Missing the Scale Entirely – Here’s Why

Ownership structure shapes Korbit negotiations

Korbit’s shareholder base plays a central role in the ongoing discussions. The exchange is primarily owned by NXC, which controls about 60.5% of shares. NXC is the holding firm behind gaming company Nexon. Additionally, SK Planet owns roughly 31.5%. SK Planet acquired its stake through a ₩90 billion investment. Hence, any acquisition would require agreement from multiple corporate stakeholders.

Founded in 2013, Korbit holds historical significance in the local market. It launched South Korea’s first crypto exchange and Bitcoin to won trading platform. However, market relevance has shifted over time. Data from CoinGecko shows Korbit now represents less than 1% of domestic trading volume. In comparison, Upbit processed more than $716 million in daily volume. Meanwhile, Bithumb recorded around $298 million.

Traditional finance moves closer to licensed crypto platforms

Despite lower volumes, Korbit retains regulatory licenses that attract institutional interest. Consequently, compliance readiness appears to drive valuation discussions. Industry activity shows a broader shift underway within South Korea’s financial landscape. Traditional finance groups are positioning themselves closer to digital asset infrastructure.

This development follows confirmation of another notable transaction. Naver Financial has agreed to a stock-swap merger with Dunamu, the operator of Upbit. Together, these transactions point to strategic alignment ahead of regulatory adjustments. South Korea continues to signal a gradual opening toward institutional crypto participation.

As a result, established exchanges with full licensing remain attractive acquisition targets. The Korbit discussions reflect how market structure, regulation, and finance are increasingly converging.

Also Read: XRP Supply Shock Could Hit Early in 2026? – Here’s What Exchanges and Experts Are Saying

The post Mirae Asset Eyes Korbit Deal Worth Up to $100M Amid Korea Crypto Shift appeared first on 36Crypto.