Plume, the global leading real-world asset (RWA) network, has integrated the Korean won-denominated stablecoin KRW1, significantly lowering the barrier for Korean institutional investors to access its ecosystem. The stablecoin is issued by digital asset custody firm BDACS (Beyond Digital Asset Custody Service).
This collaboration enables Korean investors and institutions to make payments and investments directly in Korean won across Plume's RWA platform, bypassing the need for USD conversions. Teddy Pornprinya, Co-Founder and CBO of Plume, stated that the network currently operates one of the world's largest RWA ecosystems with more than 280,000 RWA holders and $645 million in RWAs. He emphasized that adding KRW1 "opens a new pathway, particularly for Korean institutional investors, to enter the RWA market using a non-USD currency."
The decision to select the Korean won as its first non-USD currency is a strategic move reflecting Korea's advanced regulatory environment. Following amendments to the Capital Markets Act and the Electronic Securities Act last year, Korea introduced a tokenized securities (STO) framework, which is regarded as one of the more advanced RWA regulatory environments in Asia. Pornprinya noted, "Korea is a market where regulation is relatively clear yet supportive of innovation," and highlighted that major Korean financial institutions are expanding RWA and blockchain investments, making the country a key strategic hub for Plume's Asian expansion.
KRW1, launched by BDACS in September 2025, is fully backed by KRW deposits held in an escrow account at Woori Bank. BDACS has successfully completed a proof of concept (PoC) covering KRW deposits, token issuance, and on-chain verification, validating the technical feasibility and operational stability of the stablecoin.
Hong-yeol Ryu, CEO of BDACS, commented on the integration: "Plume has established itself as an institution-ready RWA platform through embedded compliance and full EVM compatibility. The integration of KRW1 further strengthens its position as a regulation-aligned RWA infrastructure provider in Asia."
The Plume network provides access to assets from global managers like Apollo Global Management, WisdomTree, and BlackOpal, spanning asset classes including real-estate-backed loans, private funds, and government bonds. The introduction of KRW1 allows Korean investors to invest and receive returns directly in won, reducing foreign exchange costs and operational complexity. This move is expected to pave the way for greater institutional participation, future on-chain issuance by Korean financial institutions, and potential expansion to other Asian currencies such as the Japanese yen and Singapore dollar.
