South Korean Bank Stocks Surge Amid Stablecoin Trademark Frenzy

Institutional Crypto Interest Fuels Stock Rally

Shares of several major South Korean banks have spiked following recent filings for stablecoin-related trademarks, marking a significant shift in institutional engagement with digital assets.

According to data from Google Finance, stock prices of Kakao Bank, Kookmin Bank, and the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) surged between 10% and 19% after submitting applications for Korean won-pegged stablecoin trademarks. This movement underscores rising investor optimism surrounding the banks’ potential entry into the cryptocurrency space.

The filings closely followed the June 4 inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung, whose administration has promised crypto-friendly policies, including the development of a national stablecoin.

Timeline of Stablecoin Trademark Filings and Stock Movements

Kakao Bank

• Trademark Filing Date: June 23, 2025

• Stock Movement: Rose from $22.60 to $27 (₩37,000 KRW), a 19.3% increase

• Trademark Details: Filed at least 12 crypto-related trademarks, according to Industry News and WIPO data

Kakao Bank’s stock prices after the stablecoin application. Source: Google Finance

Related: South Korea Tightens Crypto Regulations Ahead of Institutional Market Entry

Kookmin Bank (KB Financial Group)

• Trademark Filing Date: June 23, 2025

Stock Movement:

• Initial increase: 4.3%, from $78 to $82 (June 24)

• Current price: $89, marking a 13.38% gain since the filing

Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK)

• Trademark Filing Date: June 27, 2025

• Stock Movement: Climbed from $13.30 to $14.70, a 10.1% increase

All three banks have so far declined to provide further details on their stablecoin plans.

KB Financial Group’s stock prices after filing for stablecoin trademarks. Source: Google Finance

Related: Bitcoin Slips to $107K Despite $1B ETF Inflows—Here’s What’s Really Behind the Drop

Broader Implications: Are We in a “Stablecoin Bubble”?

The aggressive push into the stablecoin arena by South Korean financial institutions has not gone unnoticed by market analysts.

A research lead known as 100y from crypto think tank Four Pillars cautioned via X (formerly Twitter) that the country may be entering a “stablecoin bubble”. The analyst pointed out that while banks are eager to capitalize on the trend, South Korea still lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework for stablecoins—raising questions about the long-term sustainability of these moves.

Despite the lack of clear guidance, more banks are rumored to be forming alliances aimed at launching Korean won-pegged stablecoins, reflecting strong momentum in the sector.

Source: 100y

Conclusion: Investor Optimism Meets Regulatory Uncertainty

South Korean banks’ foray into stablecoins has clearly ignited stock market enthusiasm, but the legal landscape remains foggy. While the filings suggest a strategic shift toward blockchain-based financial products, the absence of regulatory clarity could pose challenges ahead.

As more institutions explore stablecoin initiatives, the next phase will likely depend on how quickly regulators respond and whether investor sentiment holds as the market matures.

Related: Crypto Venture Funding Soars to $10B in Q2 2025, Signaling Market Revival