Plume, the leading real-world asset (RWA) network, has introduced a Korean won-denominated stablecoin KRW1, issued by digital asset custodian BDACS. The stablecoin enables direct payments and investments in won across Plume's ecosystem, targeting Korean institutional demand for a non-USD gateway.
Teddy Pornprinya, co-founder and CBO of Plume, said the network now hosts over 280,000 RWA holders and $645 million in RWAs. Adding KRW1 as a settlement instrument opens a new pathway for Korean institutional investors to enter the RWA market using a non-USD currency.
Korea's Regulatory Maturity Made It Plume's First Non-USD Target
Plume selected the Korean won as its first non-USD currency due to the country's clear regulatory framework and institutional appetite. Last year's amendments to the Capital Markets Act and the Electronic Securities Act introduced a tokenized securities (STO) framework, bringing security tokens into regulated finance and positioning Korea as one of Asia's most advanced RWA regulatory environments.
Pornprinya highlighted that regulation in Korea is relatively clear yet supportive of innovation, and major financial institutions are expanding investments in RWA and blockchain, making Korea a strategic hub for Plume's Asia expansion.
KRW1: Fully Reserved, Tech Proven
Launched by BDACS in September 2025, KRW1 is fully backed by KRW deposits held in an escrow account at Woori Bank. BDACS completed a proof of concept (PoC) covering deposits, token issuance, and on-chain verification, confirming technical and operational soundness.
Hong-yeol Ryu, CEO of BDACS, noted that Plume has established itself as an institution-ready RWA platform through embedded compliance and full EVM compatibility. The integration of KRW1 further strengthens its role as a regulation-aligned RWA infrastructure provider in Asia.
Access to Apollo, WisdomTree, and More
Plume's ecosystem features assets from global managers including Apollo Global Management, WisdomTree, and BlackOpal, spanning real-estate-backed loans, private funds, and government bonds. With KRW1, Korean investors can invest and receive returns directly in won, cutting FX costs and operational complexity while paving the way for future on-chain issuance by local institutions and expansion to other Asian currencies like the Japanese yen and Singapore dollar.
Plume currently has the largest active wallet base in the RWA sector, with 200+ projects, and drives asset growth through its flagship real-world yield protocol Nest, shaping the next generation of onchain capital markets.