Tokenized securities (STO) and digital transformation of the capital market are emerging as a hot to..
“The exclusive possession of a minority asset is an old saying”…STO, “Japan is already active in secondary trading.” “Quick legislation is the key”…Global experts ‘unanimous’ over institutionalization of K-digital assets market
![Kimio Mikazuki, CEO of the Osaka Digital Exchange (ODX), is presenting at the "Korean Capital Market Conference" held at the Western Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 30th. [Picture = Reporter Ahn Gap-sung]](https://wimg.mk.co.kr/news/cms/202509/30/news-p.v1.20250930.625e07ef310c4f3aaf760e1119b1a2bb_P1.jpg)
Tokenized securities (STO) and digital transformation of the capital market are emerging as a hot topic in the Korean digital asset market.
Major speakers who attended the second day of the capital market conference held by the Korea Exchange at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 30th focused on how blockchain-based tokenized securities (STO) will change financial infrastructure and what opportunities will open up in the global capital market, including Korea, in the future.
Experts cited K-content as Korea’s unique asset and stressed that tokenized K-content should pay attention to the growth potential of intellectual property rights (IP).
Shin Beom-joon, CEO of Bicell Standard, emphasized the innovativeness of lowering the threshold of investment, saying, “It is the essence of STO that makes it easy for anyone to invest in superior alternative investment assets that were previously open to a small number of institutional investors and asset holders.” Pointing to the reality that 75.2% of South Korea’s household assets are concentrated in real estate, he stressed, “STO can be a game changer in bringing attractive alternative investment assets into the capital market other than real estate.”
“The K-content market, which is expected to grow to 367 trillion won in 2030, has a huge value of 90% of the KOSDAQ market capitalization,” he said. “It opens the way for me to invest directly in the albums of my favorite singers, not specific entertainment companies.”
In addition, the stable coin was pointed out as a key factor to increase accessibility of global investors, and attracted attention from participants, claiming that “stable coins are the quickest answer for now to get global investors to participate immediately without difficulties in opening foreign investment registration certificates or non-face-to-face accounts.”
Japan’s STO market trend, which has already been activated beyond the primary issuance market to the secondary distribution market, was also introduced. Kimio Mikazuki, head of the Osaka Digital Exchange (ODX), said Japan’s cumulative issuance of STOs exceeded 220 billion yen, with real estate-backed securities and corporate bonds leading the market.
He also explained that the secondary market is currently active in Japan, where investors can trade STOs like listed stocks through securities firms through PTS (alternative exchanges) such as ODX.
“The presence of the secondary market provides liquidity to investors, which in turn creates a virtuous cycle of revitalizing the primary issuance market,” Mikazuki said, casting implications for the Korean market.
Some argued that tokenization is an innovative solution that can solve problems such as fragmented operations of existing capital markets, slow payments, and passive regulatory compliance.
Shlong Li, general marketing director at tokenization technology company Tokeny, explained that standardized technologies such as “ERC-3643” can automate regulatory compliance, identify investors, and manage assets in real-time.
“Tokenization is a game changer that changes the paradigm of regulatory compliance and asset management beyond just digitizing assets,” said General Manager Lee.
Finally, Dennis Honick, general manager of Asia-Pacific, presented the challenges that need to be solved in order for tokenization to become the mainstream. He pointed to fragmentation of chains, liquidity, investor access and privacy issues, stressing the importance of cooperation among market participants, adoption of open standards, and clear guidelines from regulators.
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