Core partners with KODA, a prominent custodian in the Korean market, to facilitate institutional adoption of Bitcoin yield products.
Seoul, South Korea, March 21, 2025 – KODA, a leading custody provider in South Korea, has integrated Core, Bitcoin’s first Proof of Stake (PoS) layer and largest Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem. This makes Core the first Bitcoin scaling blockchain supported by KODA, highlighting the increasing interest in Bitcoin staking within the Korean crypto market.
South Korea has long been a significant player in cryptocurrency adoption, with its exchanges processing billions in daily volume and its retail traders influencing global price trends. Now, institutional interest and adoption are growing, with KODA leading the way.
Through this integration, users can access CORE, the native token of the Core blockchain, while also supporting the development of regulated Bitcoin staking services in Korea, facilitated by KODA and Core as regulations evolve.
Why This is Big
KODA’s support for Core means the leading Korean custodian now features the platform. KODA, which already supports major blockchains like BNB Chain, Base, Polygon, and Solana, is integrating its first Bitcoin-scaling chain. This is a major step in expanding Bitcoin DeFi in Korea, paving the way for wider adoption and innovation.
“KODA has emerged as a pioneer in the institutional space, delivering fully licensed and innovative solutions to Korean institutions. We’re excited to collaborate with such a trusted and forward-thinking company to introduce Core to the region—and ultimately, unlock new institutional Bitcoin yield opportunities. This partnership is a key step in expanding access to secure and scalable blockchain solutions for Korean institutions,” said Brendon Sedo, Initial contributor to Core.
“As a leading provider of secure and trusted digital asset custody services for institutional investors in Korea, KODA is pleased to collaborate with Core to expand Bitcoin-based yield opportunities.
This integration marks a significant milestone in enhancing Bitcoin’s scalability and utility, enabling institutional investors in Korea to engage with Bitcoin in a more efficient and regulatory-compliant manner.
KODA remains committed to providing innovative solutions that allow institutions to securely manage and utilize digital assets.”
— Jin-seok Cho, CEO of Korea Digital Asset (KODA)
Bitcoin Staking on the Horizon
Core is designed to enable Bitcoin staking, previously only available via centralized platforms. Since its launch in April 2024, over 6,000 BTC have been staked with Core.
With KODA’s integration, Korean institutions will soon have the chance to explore Bitcoin yield through Core—directly, without losing control of their BTC.
What Comes Next?
The integration is live, and Core anticipates further expansion in the Korean market.
- Core is listed on Bithumb, providing the local market access to CORE and on-chain products.
- Preparing for potential regulatory changes that could allow institutions to access staking products via trusted custodians, establishing an institutional on-ramp for Bitcoin yield in the region.
Recent developments suggest a potential shift in South Korea’s approach to digital asset regulation, particularly concerning restrictions on crypto trading for institutional investors.
While not explicitly banned, Korean banks face restrictions on opening crypto trading accounts for institutional clients. This integration is timely, as the country prepares to .
Core offers investors a secure and sustainable method for earning yield on their Bitcoin. Industry leaders like BitGo, Hashnote, Maple, and Copper have placed their trust in Core. This development will also expand access to the liquid staking, yield-bearing token launched on February 17th through a collaboration between Core and Maple.
For an in-depth look at the state of Bitcoin staking and its growing adoption, read , by Reflexivity Research.
About Core
Core is a high-performance EVM Layer-1 blockchain secured by Bitcoin, creating institutional yield opportunities via Bitcoin staking. Bitcoin holders secure Core to earn CORE block rewards and transaction fees. Core partners with top custodians and asset managers to improve Bitcoin’s capital efficiency and programmability.
Core powers innovative products such as , which enables Bitcoin holders to earn yield without sacrificing liquidity or security, and Valour’s yield-bearing BTC ETP. Ranked in on-chain TVL and in UAW, Core is also one of the fastest-growing blockchains and a leader in institutional Bitcoin innovation.
About KODA
KODA is a leading digital asset custodian in South Korea, providing custody services for institutional and corporate investors. KODA is backed by major shareholders, including KB Kookmin Bank (Korea’s largest financial institution), Hashed (a blockchain-focused investment firm), Altos Ventures, and Samsung Asset Management (Korea’s No.1 ETF manager).
KODA ensures top-tier security through cold wallet storage, multi-signature security, and internal controls comparable to leading financial institutions, providing institutional investors with a secure and reliable digital asset management solution.
CONTACT: core at transformgroup.com