Korbit Research Head Says Asset Tokenization Is Irreversible, Urges Faster Push on Won Stablecoins
RWA Signal Insight
InfrastructureKorbit research head Kim Min-seung warned that South Korea risks losing capital to overseas markets unless it accelerates the development of a won-denominated stablecoin ecosystem. Speaking at the Digital Asset Investment Insight Forum 2026, Kim highlighted that the global financial landscape is shifting toward on-chain infrastructure, a movement currently dominated by the United States. The on-chain real-world asset market is valued at $30 billion, with US Treasuries currently comprising half of that total. Kim emphasized that the upcoming October launch of stock tokenization services by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. (DTCC), involving major players like BlackRock and Nasdaq, marks a pivotal institutional shift. Unlike previous derivative-based crypto tokens, these new services are backed by SEC no-action letters and provide formal rights. The US strategy aims to preserve dollar hegemony by integrating stablecoins with Treasury reserves, creating a comprehensive on-chain super-app ecosystem. Kim urged South Korean regulators to modernize their approach to avoid being sidelined as global capital migrates to these more efficient, US-led on-chain markets.
Key points
- On-chain real-world asset market currently holds a $30 billion valuation.
- DTCC, BlackRock, and Nasdaq launch institutional stock tokenization services this October.
- US stablecoin expansion aims to bolster dollar hegemony via Treasury-backed reserves.
- South Korea faces capital flight due to restrictive regulations on leveraged products.
Background
The Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. (DTCC) is the primary central securities depository in the United States, providing clearing and settlement services for the vast majority of US securities transactions. By moving toward tokenization, the DTCC aims to modernize market infrastructure, enabling faster settlement and increased transparency for traditional financial assets on blockchain networks.