Parataxis Korea Defies Strict Crypto Laws to Launch South Korea's First Bitcoin Treasury

Parataxis Korea, a newly established institutional investment platform, has launched South Korea’s first publicly traded bitcoin treasury company by acquiring Bridge Biotherapeutics, a biotech firm, in a $18.5 million deal. The rebranded entity, now known as Parataxis Korea, aims to pioneer corporate bitcoin treasury management in Asia, mirroring strategies adopted by U.S. firms like MicroStrategy. The platform’s initial purchase of 50 bitcoin marks its entry into the market, with plans to expand its holdings and develop institutional-grade infrastructure for digital asset management .

The acquisition underscores a growing trend in corporate adoption of bitcoin as a treasury asset. Globally, 126 publicly listed companies hold nearly 820,000 bitcoin, valued at $88.8 billion, while South Korea’s regulatory environment remains restrictive. Currently, only three Korean listed firms hold bitcoin, and corporate purchases are limited to nonprofits and exchanges. However, the country’s 2025 pilot program allows 3,500 companies to open verified crypto accounts, and lawmakers are pushing for spot crypto ETFs and stablecoins by 2026 . Parataxis Korea’s move positions it to capitalize on these regulatory shifts while addressing institutional hesitancy through a listed company structure .

Andrew Kim, CEO of Parataxis Korea, emphasized the firm’s focus on risk management and governance, stating, “Bitcoin can be volatile, but we’ve operated professionally in this market for six years.” The platform integrates institutional-grade compliance, secure custody solutions, and strategic capital markets transactions to compound “bitcoin per share” over time. This metric, akin to earnings per share, aligns management incentives with long-term value creation . Parataxis Korea has also launched a $100 million fund to scale its operations, with plans to appoint board members specializing in securities law and digital assets .

The firm’s strategy is informed by global precedents, including MicroStrategy’s $61.4 billion bitcoin holdings and Metaplanet’s 10,000 bitcoin portfolio. Kim noted that bitcoin’s role as an “emerging asset class” is gaining institutional acceptance, drawing parallels to real estate and venture capital’s early adoption phases . Parataxis Korea’s collaboration with legal and financial experts, including Sejong Law and Deloitte, further reinforces its commitment to compliance and operational excellence .

Regulatory challenges persist, as South Korea’s strict crypto laws—such as the absence of spot ETFs—limit corporate participation. However, Kim anticipates increased adoption as regulations evolve, with Parataxis Korea leading by example. The firm’s long-term vision includes expanding its platform across Asia, leveraging its U.S. parent company’s experience in asset management and institutional infrastructure .

Source: [1] Parataxis commits to Korea as bitcoin treasury frontier (https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10525320)

[2] South Korea’s First Bitcoin Treasury Firm Emerges with $18.5M Acquisition Deal (https://coinpedia.org/news/south-koreas-first-bitcoin-treasury-firm-emerges-with-18-5m-acquisition-deal/)

[3] Parataxis Korea, Korea's first institutional investment-based bitcoin trading platform (https://www.mk.co.kr/en/stock/11421492)

[4] Historic Parataxis Korea Bitcoin Purchase: A Landmark for Institutional Crypto Adoption (https://www.mexc.com/en-PH/news/historic-parataxis-korea-bitcoin-purchase-a-landmark-for-institutional-crypto-adoption/99192)