Blockchain Opens $80 Trillion Market as Seoul Exchange Brings K-Culture Tokens to International Investors

Seoul Exchange, recognized as one of only two authorized venues for unlisted securities trading in South Korea, has entered into a significant partnership with Story Protocol to tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) using Story’s blockchain technology. Under this three-year agreement, Story will serve as the exclusive provider for asset registration and settlement on Seoul Exchange. By leveraging Story’s Layer-1 blockchain and its native $IP token, the collaboration intends to introduce a new set of regulatory-compliant, investment-grade digital securities. The initial focus will be on tokenizing Korean cultural and intellectual property (IP), such as K-pop music royalties, K-drama distribution rights, webtoons, patents, and gaming assets—making these globally influential assets available 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 agreement sets out the creation of a regulated trading platform for RWAs, where every listing—including music IP, webtoons, patents, and private shares—will be recorded on the Story blockchain. This infrastructure enables assets to be programmable, supporting functions such as automatic licensing, royalty payments, and regulatory compliance through smart contracts. Operating within South Korea’s financial regulatory sandbox, Seoul Exchange has attracted investment from prominent venture capital firms like Hashed, SoftBank Ventures, and POSCO Technology Investment. Integrating Story’s blockchain is anticipated to connect Korea’s creative sectors with international capital, addressing long-standing issues in monetizing intellectual property Seoul Exchange, One of Only Two Licensed Platforms For Unlisted Securities, Will Exclusively Use Story To Settle Tokenized RWAs [ 1 ].

As the world’s second-largest crypto market by trading volume, South Korea stands to gain greatly from this development. This collaboration supports the country’s wider initiative to digitize real-world assets—a sector valued above $80 trillion but often limited by illiquidity. Through IP tokenization, Seoul Exchange and Story aim to introduce fractional investment options, improving transparency and accessibility for retail and institutional participants alike. Story’s platform already lists notable rights from top K-pop acts such as BTS and BLACKPINK, as well as international stars like 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, which has secured $136 million in backing from investors including a16z, Polychain, and Samsung Ventures, has rapidly grown its ecosystem since its mainnet launch in early 2025. Its blockchain is crafted to make intellectual property programmable, embedding licensing and royalty terms directly into each token. This approach tackles persistent challenges in the creative sector, where creators frequently lose control of their work to intermediaries. By facilitating direct involvement from both fans and investors, the platform hopes to establish fairer revenue models for creators and unlock liquidity for IP rights that were previously inaccessible Seoul Exchange, One of Only Two Licensed Platforms For Unlisted Securities, Will Exclusively Use Story To Settle Tokenized RWAs [ 1 ].

The partnership also demonstrates Seoul Exchange’s dedication to compliance with regulations. Pending regulatory approval, the platform plans to introduce a stablecoin tied to the Korean won, aligning with the country’s financial systems. This step reinforces South Korea’s reputation as a leader in blockchain technology, supported by its advanced digital infrastructure and favorable regulatory stance. The country’s

(Security Token Offering) industry is forecast to reach $287 billion by 2030, propelled by advancements in tokenization technology and growing institutional participation Seoul Exchange, One of Only Two Licensed Platforms For Unlisted Securities, Will Exclusively Use Story To Settle Tokenized RWAs [ 1 ].

Executives from both partners highlighted the transformative nature of this alliance. JD Yang, CEO of Seoul Exchange, commented, “Our goal with this collaboration is to become Korea’s top STO exchange by advancing a unique tokenization strategy based on IP and media content.” Seung-yoon “SY” Lee, CEO of Story Protocol, remarked, “This partnership brings us closer to unlocking the $80 trillion IP asset category globally, enabling investors worldwide to access Korea’s cultural resources.”

The adoption of Story’s blockchain by Seoul Exchange marks a crucial development in South Korea’s blockchain ecosystem. By merging retail-friendly access with institutional-level compliance, the platform aims to reshape value exchange in the digital era. As tokenization gains momentum worldwide, this partnership serves as an example of how blockchain can link traditional finance with decentralized technology, creating a more inclusive and effective market for real-world assets.