• Bybit moves to acquire Korbit, South Korea’s fourth-largest exchange.
• Initial focus may be on SK Planet’s 31.5% stake.
• South Korea remains the second-largest virtual asset market globally.
• The acquisition trend shows foreign exchanges entering Korea via M&A.

Bybit, the world’s second-largest virtual asset exchange, is pursuing the acquisition of Korbit, South Korea’s fourth-largest cryptocurrency exchange. The move comes as Bybit explores expanding its presence in the Korean market. Sources indicate that Bybit has met with Korbit’s management to discuss acquisition terms.

Korbit’s ownership is split between NXC, the parent company of Nexon, which holds 60.5%, and SK Planet, which has 31.5%. Bybit appears to be considering acquiring SK Planet’s stake first, before pursuing full ownership. The acquisition process is still at an early stage, but the market has taken note of Bybit’s intentions as a significant development in Korea’s virtual asset sector.

Bybit, founded in 2018 and headquartered in China, has gained global attention through its futures trading services. The company’s rapid growth in the past five years has positioned it as a key player among the major international exchanges. Its pursuit of Korbit signals a broader strategy to solidify its influence in key Asian markets.

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Foreign Exchanges Eye Korean Market

Korea has steadily become a hotspot for global virtual asset exchanges. Last month, Binance finalized its acquisition of Gopax, the country’s fifth-largest exchange. This trend shows that major international exchanges are increasingly using mergers and acquisitions to enter the Korean market rather than building new operations from scratch.

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which is located under the Financial Services Commission, approved the change in executives for Binance’s involvement in Gopax after a process that took two and a half years. It is estimated that Bybit’s involvement might expedite approvals for other overseas exchanges. The South Korean monetary authority is used to dealing with overseas purchases.

Implications for Korea’s Virtual Asset Sector

The probable acquisition by Bybit is expected to have an impact on both market activities and regulation. The virtual asset industry in this country is now considered mature enough to deal with complex transactions involving global participants.

However, current controversies surrounding the so-called “gold price separation regulations” limiting banks and insurers from trading virtual assets directly might gain momentum with more overseas exchanges entering.

The readiness of SK Planet to retrieve funds invested in virtual assets can expedite Bybit’s acquisition procedure. If it happens, it will cement South Korea’s position as the second-largest market for virtual assets after the USA. This purchase will pave the way for other global exchanges to enter South Korea’s booming crypto economy due to competition.

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