PANews reported on April 3 that, according to the Herald Economy, Korea Investment & Securities is considering acquiring a stake in digital asset exchange Coinone in response to rival Mirae Asset Group's acquisition of Korbit. Korea Investment & Securities is in discussions with financial authorities and politicians, and has not yet reached an agreement with Coinone representatives on specific terms.

Coinone, South Korea's third-largest cryptocurrency exchange with a double-digit market share, has suffered losses for three consecutive years. Financial authorities are pushing for restrictions on major shareholders' holdings in exchanges, and a portion of the 53.44% stake held by Coinone is expected to be sold. Korea Investment & Securities, which has previously been relatively inactive in the digital asset sector, will become a "game changer" with this acquisition. Coinone stated that specific cooperation models or partners have not yet been determined.