World Crypto Forum

Global leaders in digital assets will gather in Seoul in February, 2026, to discuss the future of finance and strategies for the Web3 era, the third generation of the internet powered by blockchain technology.

Maeil Business will hold its first World Crypto Forum (WCF) on February 10 and 11 under the theme, “Bringing Digital Assets to Finance.”

Keynote speakers include Eric Trump, co-founder of World Liberty Financial (WLFI) and the second-eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump is a leading figure driving the convergence of blockchain-based Web3 and traditional Web2 in the United States. WLFI is closely tied to President Trump, who has pledged to make America the “crypto capital of the world.” Eric Trump will deliver a keynote on the future of finance transformed by digital technology.

Joseph Chalom, co-CEO of SharpLink Gaming Inc., will speak about the value of Ethereum as the backbone of global Web3 finance. Chalom spent more than 20 years at BlackRock, where he led the launch of the Bitcoin spot ETF and the tokenized fund BUIDL.

Greg King, founder and CEO of REX Financial, which introduced innovative products such as altcoin ETFs with staking and meme coin spot ETFs, will discuss the conditions for successful cryptocurrency ETFs in the Korean market.

Jason Fang, founder of Sora Ventures and a major Bitcoin holder in Asia, will also attend the forum. Fang has led Bitcoin reserve strategies in the Asian market and established multiple Asian digital asset treasury (DAT) companies, including MetaPlanet, DV8 Public Co., Moon Inc., and Bitplanet Inc.

Tony Acuña-Rohter, CEO of EDX Markets, a U.S. institutional cryptocurrency exchange founded by Wall Street investment banks including Citadel and Fidelity, will outline institutional cryptocurrency investment strategies. EDX Markets is designed to provide stability and transparency comparable to traditional financial systems.

Ikeda Hideki, CTO of SBI VC Trade, a cryptocurrency exchange founded by Japan’s traditional financial group SBI, will offer insights on integrating centralized finance with decentralized digital finance. SBI VC is Japan’s only stablecoin exchange.

The forum will also feature key figures from Japan on stablecoins and cross-border payments. Japan has accelerated Web3 institutionalization by establishing a Digital Agency in 2021 and approving a yen-backed stablecoin ahead of Korea.

Okabe Noritaka, CEO of JPYC Inc., will discuss the impact and potential of stablecoins and provide guidance on using KRW-based stablecoins. JPYC is Japan’s first regulatory-compliant yen-backed stablecoin, collateralized by domestic deposits and Japanese government bonds (JGBs).

Takezawa Yusuke, CSO of Progmat Inc., a stablecoin platform founded by Japan’s major banks, will discuss potential collaboration on stablecoins between Korea and Japan.

Progmat is leading Project PAX, a cross-border stablecoin payment infrastructure in partnership with SWIFT, with participation from Korean banks including KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, NH Nonghyup, and Kbank.

Nischint Sanghavi, head of Digital Currency for Visa Asia Pacific, will discuss how Visa integrates Web3 into existing operations, including stablecoin-enabled cards in South America and Africa, and testing USDC in Visa Direct P2P payments.

Lim Alex, head of LayerZero Asia, will present methods to manage stablecoins across multiple blockchains. LayerZero functions as a blockchain version of SWIFT, handling monthly transaction volumes of approximately 50 trillion won ($34 billion).

Korean companies will showcase their Web3 strategies at WCF.

Dunamu Inc., operator of Upbit, will present the GIWA Chain strategy for global expansion. Mirae Asset Group, which plans to launch a digital wallet in June 2026, will unveil a financial innovation strategy integrating digital assets.

Bithumb Co.’s policy support director, You Jung-kee, will share anti-money laundering strategies critical to digital assets.

- Date: Feb. 10~11, 2026

- Venue: Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeouido

- Registration period: Dec. 15, 2025~Jan. 23, 2026

- Registration fee: 490,000 won (VAT included)

- Application & inquiries: wcforum.mk.co.kr, (02)2000-5427

By An Kap-sung, Lee Jong-hwa, Choi Geun-do and Chang Iou-chung

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]