South Korean game developer Nexus (formerly known as Blade) has officially declared its entry into the digital asset market, unveiling plans to launch a Korean won-based stablecoin in partnership with KakaoTalk and affiliated financial entities.
In a recent media interview, CEO Jang Hyun-guk announced that Nexus aims to become the first issuer of a KRW stablecoin once the Digital Asset Basic Act comes into effect. Leveraging KakaoPay and other Kakao financial services, Nexus plans to enable seamless stablecoin transactions directly within KakaoTalk, South Korea’s most widely used messaging app with over 20 million monthly active users.
Jang emphasized that this integration would allow for easy and secure crypto payments and transfers, dramatically lowering the barrier to entry for the general public. “We’re not chasing game IPs anymore,” he noted. “We are building a blockchain-based ecosystem centered on real infrastructure and utility.”
This announcement marks a significant shift in Nexus’s identity—from a gaming company to a fintech firm specializing in blockchain infrastructure. The firm also revealed long-term plans to link its stablecoin with real-world payment systems, aiming to bridge digital assets with the physical economy.
Investor reaction has been swift. Nexus stock recently surged to its daily limit, fueled by optimism around its potential to lead Korea’s stablecoin market. Some analysts view the company as an emerging flagship in the race for compliant digital currency adoption.
Meanwhile, the Korean government is finalizing regulatory frameworks under the Digital Asset Basic Act, including capital requirements for stablecoin issuance. As such, the success of Nexus’s strategy may depend on how well it aligns with upcoming regulations.
All eyes are now on whether Nexus, armed with the massive reach of KakaoTalk, can bring stablecoins into mainstream usage—and whether a game company can truly evolve into a next-gen financial platform provider.
