Plume Launches KRW1 to Enable Korean Institutions Direct Access to RWA Markets

Plume, the leading real-world asset network, has unveiled the KRW1 stablecoin—a game-changing tool designed to open institutional doors across Asia. Developed in collaboration with BDACS (Beyond Digital Asset Custody Service), this move signals Plume’s aggressive expansion into Korean markets and positions the platform as a bridge for institutional capital seeking won-denominated exposure to real-world assets.

The timing couldn’t be better. Plume currently supports more than 280,000 RWA holders managing $645 million in tokenized real-world assets. By introducing KRW1, the network eliminates a critical friction point: the need for Korean investors to convert between currencies while accessing global RWA opportunities. Instead, institutions can now trade, invest, and receive yields directly in Korean won.

Why Korea Became Plume’s First Non-USD Market

Korea stands apart in Asia’s regulatory landscape. Following 2025 amendments to the Capital Markets Act and Electronic Securities Act, the country established a comprehensive security token offering (STO) framework that brings regulated tokenization into the mainstream financial system. This creates the perfect environment for institutional RWA participation without the regulatory ambiguity that plagues other markets.

“Korea is where regulation is clear yet innovation-friendly,” noted Teddy Pornprinya, Plume’s Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer. The nation’s major financial institutions are actively expanding into blockchain and tokenized assets, making it a strategic hub for Plume’s Asia-wide infrastructure expansion.

The KRW1 Advantage: Simple, Stable, Backed

Launched by BDACS in September 2025, KRW1 represents a new standard for stablecoin reliability. Each token is fully backed by Korean won deposits held in escrow at Woori Bank, eliminating counterparty risk. The platform completed rigorous proof-of-concept testing covering deposit handling, token issuance, and on-chain verification—validating both technical robustness and operational stability.

For Plume’s multi-tier infrastructure, this integration demonstrates how the platform layers compliance directly into its EVM-compatible foundation. “Plume has built itself around institutional-grade infrastructure,” explained Hong-yeol Ryu, CEO of BDACS. “KRW1 exemplifies how regulation-aligned design strengthens Asia’s RWA ecosystem.”

Access to Global Assets, Local Gains

Through Plume’s network, Korean investors gain entry to assets managed by Apollo Global Management, WisdomTree, and BlackOpal—spanning real-estate-backed loans, private credit funds, and government bonds. With KRW1, they can participate, collect returns, and rebalance portfolios entirely in won. This eliminates FX costs, reduces settlement complexity, and opens doors for Korean financial institutions to eventually issue their own tokenized securities on-chain.

The Roadmap: Expanding Across Asia

This Korean won launch plants the flag for broader regional expansion. Plume is already exploring Japanese yen and Singapore dollar stablecoins, signaling a shift toward true multi-currency RWA infrastructure across Asia. As more regional currencies reach market, institutional capital flows should accelerate significantly.

With 200+ projects already operating on Plume and the largest active wallet base in the RWA sector, the platform has established itself as the infrastructure backbone for institutional tokenization. KRW1 isn’t just a stablecoin—it’s proof that the world’s financial institutions are ready to move beyond USD-centric models.