The South Korean cryptocurrency market has long been perceived as both enigmatic and insular. Shaped by unique cultural dynamics, concentrated population centers, and supportive government policies, it operates under a distinctive set of rules. For foreign blockchain projects, entering this ecosystem and launching services locally presents significant barriers — yet these very challenges have fostered one of the most advanced and mature digital asset markets in the world.
South Korea continues to play a pivotal role in the global adoption of blockchain technology. As early as 2018, data revealed that despite having only around 50 million residents, the country accounted for approximately 30% of global cryptocurrency trading volume. Moreover, nearly one in three working Koreans has owned or traded digital assets, highlighting widespread public engagement with crypto finance.
At the forefront of this thriving ecosystem is Bithumb, one of South Korea’s most trusted and leading digital asset exchanges. On November 6, Bithumb hosted a high-profile global strategic launch event in Seoul, officially unveiling Bithumb Family — an ambitious digital finance ecosystem designed to integrate blockchain infrastructure with next-generation financial services.
The event brought together key stakeholders from across the industry: government officials, top-tier investment firms, traditional financial institutions, major media outlets, influential thought leaders, and hundreds of blockchain professionals — all united to witness the debut of Bithumb’s bold vision for a decentralized financial future.
👉 Discover how global digital ecosystems are reshaping finance today.
A New Era in Blockchain Integration
As blockchain technology accelerates worldwide, digital finance is evolving rapidly. Cryptocurrencies and related investment products are gaining mainstream traction, while regulatory frameworks and supporting infrastructure continue to mature. Recognizing this shift, Bithumb — a pioneer in the Korean market — is expanding its influence beyond national borders.
The launch of Bithumb Family marks a critical milestone in this international expansion. This integrated ecosystem aims to deliver secure, reliable, and competitive blockchain-based products and services that generate lasting value for users.
Sunny Ng, Chief Marketing Officer at Bithumb, delivered a keynote outlining the structure of Bithumb Family. The initiative unites individuals, enterprises, and institutions from both traditional finance and the blockchain sector. From foundational layer technologies to exchange platforms and advanced financial solutions, Bithumb Family covers the full spectrum of digital finance.
Key components include:
- Bithumb Global: A distributed centralized exchange offering deep liquidity and seamless user experience.
- Bithumb DEX: A decentralized trading platform prioritizing transparency and user control.
- Bithumb Custody: A secure digital asset custodial service built around user safety and institutional-grade protection.
- Bithumb STO: A compliant security token offering solution tailored to local regulations.
- Bithumb OTC: An institutional-grade over-the-counter trading service providing real-time liquidity.
This multi-faceted approach ensures Bithumb can meet diverse market demands while maintaining compliance and security as core principles.
Expanding Horizons: Bithumb Global’s International Vision
Javier Sim, Co-Founder of Bithumb Global, emphasized the importance of inclusivity and collaboration during the launch event. “Our mission is to unite all crypto communities through a fair and transparent platform,” he stated. “Together, we’re building a globally distributed digital asset ecosystem.”
To support this vision, Bithumb Global has launched its Unleash Strategic Initiative, focusing on localized development across different regions. By aligning with local regulations and adapting products to regional needs, Bithumb Global aims to deliver safe, efficient, and professional digital financial services to users worldwide.
This strategy not only strengthens Bithumb’s international presence but also lowers entry barriers for new participants in the blockchain space — empowering more people to engage with decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital assets.
Introducing Bithumb Chain: The Backbone of the Ecosystem
At the heart of Bithumb Family lies Bithumb Chain, a proprietary blockchain developed in-house to serve as the ecosystem’s foundational infrastructure. While traditional internet enables information sharing and duplication, blockchain enables true value transfer — a paradigm shift with transformative potential across industries like IoT, healthcare, education, legal systems, intellectual property, and entertainment.
Bithumb Chain is engineered to facilitate seamless flows of value, information, and commerce across isolated blockchain networks. It acts as a powerful extension of Bithumb’s existing platforms and services, enabling interconnected value exchange between upstream and downstream participants.
In Bithumb’s long-term vision, Bithumb Chain represents the foundation of a future "blockchain city" — a self-sustaining digital economy where every component of Bithumb Family functions as essential urban infrastructure.
Profit Sharing Protocol (PSP) & Exchange-as-a-Service (EaaS)
One of the most innovative features of Bithumb Chain is its Profit Sharing Protocol (PSP). This mechanism allows service providers — such as wallets, apps, or third-party platforms — to integrate trading capabilities via Exchange-as-a-Service (EaaS) with just one click.
Through EaaS, channels can quickly deploy trading functions using Bithumb Chain’s robust infrastructure. They can customize fee structures, select supported trading pairs, and designate payout accounts — all with minimal setup.
Crucially, revenue generated from transactions is automatically settled in real time to the channel provider based on their chosen fee model. This creates a powerful incentive for partners to adopt EaaS, whether they're launching their own exchange or seeking new monetization models for existing applications.
This channel-driven model promotes scalability, encourages ecosystem growth, and fosters sustainable collaboration within the network.
👉 Explore how blockchain infrastructures are enabling next-gen financial services.
Building a Sustainable Digital Finance Future
Backed by strong technical capabilities and proven profitability, Bithumb is opening its ecosystem to broader partnerships. The goal is to establish a self-reinforcing cycle of innovation and value creation within Bithumb Family.
By offering open access to secure, scalable, and compliant blockchain solutions, Bithumb empowers developers, institutions, and entrepreneurs to build upon its infrastructure — accelerating the real-world adoption of digital assets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Bithumb Family?
A: Bithumb Family is a comprehensive digital finance ecosystem led by South Korea’s leading exchange, Bithumb. It integrates blockchain technology with financial services such as trading, custody, STO issuance, OTC desks, and decentralized infrastructure through Bithumb Chain.
Q: Is Bithumb Chain a public blockchain?
A: Yes, Bithumb Chain is a public blockchain developed to support cross-ecosystem value transfer. It powers key services like EaaS and PSP, enabling third parties to offer exchange functionality and earn transaction fees.
Q: Can non-Korean companies join Bithumb Family?
A: Absolutely. While rooted in South Korea’s mature crypto market, Bithumb Family is designed for global participation. International developers, institutions, and platforms can leverage its tools and infrastructure under compliant frameworks.
Q: How does EaaS benefit app developers?
A: Exchange-as-a-Service (EaaS) allows developers to embed trading features into their apps instantly. With customizable fees and automatic profit distribution via PSP, it offers a simple yet powerful monetization path.
Q: What makes Bithumb different from other exchanges?
A: Bithumb combines deep regional expertise with a forward-looking global strategy. Its integration of regulated services (like STO and OTC), institutional custody, and proprietary blockchain infrastructure sets it apart as a full-stack digital finance provider.
Q: Is now a good time to explore partnerships with Bithumb?
A: With the official launch of Bithumb Family and active global expansion underway, now is an ideal time for strategic collaborations — especially for projects focused on DeFi, asset tokenization, or cross-border financial innovation.
The emergence of Bithumb Family signals a new chapter in digital finance — one where interoperability, shared value, and open collaboration define success. As blockchain moves from experimentation to real-world utility, ecosystems like this will lead the charge in shaping the future of money.