Blockchain Unlocks $80T Market as Seoul Exchange Tokenizes K-Culture for Global Investors

Seoul Exchange, one of only two licensed platforms for trading unlisted securities in South Korea, has announced a strategic collaboration with Story Protocol to tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) using the latter’s blockchain infrastructure. The partnership will position Story as the exclusive provider for registering and settling tokenized assets on Seoul Exchange for the next three years. This initiative aims to unlock a new class of compliant, investable digital securities by leveraging Story’s Layer-1 blockchain, with transactions powered by its native token ($IP). The platform will focus on tokenizing Korean cultural and intellectual property (IP), including K-pop royalties, K-drama rights, webtoons, patents, and gaming assets, making these global cultural phenomena accessible to investors for the first time Seoul Exchange, One of Only Two Licensed Platforms For Unlisted Securities, Will Exclusively Use Story To Settle Tokenized RWAs^[1].

The collaboration outlines a regulated RWA trading platform where all listings—ranging from music IP and webtoons to patents and private securities—will be recorded on Story’s network. This infrastructure supports programmable assets, enabling automated licensing, royalty distribution, and compliance through smart contracts. Seoul Exchange, which operates under Korea’s financial regulatory sandbox, has secured investments from leading venture capital firms such as Hashed, SoftBank Ventures, and POSCO Technology Investment. The platform’s integration with Story’s blockchain is expected to bridge Korea’s creative industries with global capital markets, addressing structural challenges in IP monetization Seoul Exchange, One of Only Two Licensed Platforms For Unlisted Securities, Will Exclusively Use Story To Settle Tokenized RWAs^[1].

South Korea’s crypto market, the second-largest by trading volume globally, is projected to benefit significantly from this initiative. The partnership aligns with Korea’s broader push to digitize real-world assets, a market valued at over $80 trillion but historically hindered by illiquidity. By tokenizing IP, Seoul Exchange and Story aim to create fractional ownership opportunities, enhancing transparency and accessibility for both retail and institutional investors. Notable IP already registered on Story includes rights from K-pop groups like BTS and BLACKPINK, as well as global artists such as Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus Seoul Exchange, One of Only Two Licensed Platforms For Unlisted Securities, Will Exclusively Use Story To Settle Tokenized RWAs^[1].

Story Protocol, backed by $136 million from investors including a16z, Polychain, and Samsung Ventures, has rapidly expanded its ecosystem since launching its mainnet in early 2025. The blockchain is designed to make IP programmable, embedding usage terms and royalties directly into tokens. This approach addresses long-standing issues in the creative economy, where creators often cede ownership to platforms or studios. By enabling direct participation from fans and investors, the platform seeks to establish a more equitable revenue model for content creators while fostering liquidity in previously static IP rights Seoul Exchange, One of Only Two Licensed Platforms For Unlisted Securities, Will Exclusively Use Story To Settle Tokenized RWAs^[1].

The partnership also highlights Seoul Exchange’s commitment to regulatory compliance. The platform will integrate a Korean won-pegged stablecoin if approved by regulators, aligning with domestic financial infrastructure. This move underscores South Korea’s strategic position as a hub for blockchain innovation, given its advanced digital infrastructure and supportive regulatory environment. The country’s STO (Security Token Offering) market is projected to grow to $287 billion by 2030, driven by advancements in tokenization and institutional adoption Seoul Exchange, One of Only Two Licensed Platforms For Unlisted Securities, Will Exclusively Use Story To Settle Tokenized RWAs^[1].

Leaders from both organizations emphasized the transformative potential of the collaboration. JD Yang, CEO of Seoul Exchange, stated, “Through this partnership, we aim to become Korea’s leading STO exchange by pioneering a differentiated tokenization model centered on IP and content.” Seung-yoon “SY” Lee, CEO of Story Protocol, added, “This partnership brings us one step closer to unlocking the $80 trillion IP asset class at a global scale, making Korea’s cultural capital accessible to investors worldwide.”

The integration of Story’s blockchain into Seoul Exchange’s infrastructure marks a pivotal step in Korea’s blockchain growth cycle. By combining retail accessibility with institutional-grade compliance, the platform seeks to redefine how value is exchanged in the digital age. As tokenization gains traction globally, this collaboration exemplifies how blockchain can bridge traditional financial systems with decentralized innovation, fostering a more inclusive and efficient market for real-world assets.