KB Kookmin Files 17 Stablecoin Trademarks Amid Crypto Regulatory Shift

South Korea’s largest banking institution, KB Kookmin Bank, has filed 17 trademark applications related to stablecoins, signaling a proactive move to align with the country’s evolving regulatory landscape for digital assets.

According to the Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS), the filings—submitted on Monday and Tuesday—include potential ticker symbols such as KBKRW, KRWKB, KBST, and KRWST. These applications cover software related to digital currency usage and cryptocurrency transaction management via blockchain technology.

The move mirrors similar action taken by KakaoPay, South Korea’s leading mobile payment platform, which filed six stablecoin-related trademarks the week prior.

KB Kookmin confirmed to local media outlet Aju Economic News that it is taking a preemptive step to secure stablecoin-related symbols as it prepares to form a consortium with other major banks to pursue a Korean won-pegged stablecoin project.

According to Economic Review, eight major South Korean banks—KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, Nonghyup, IBK, Suhyup, Citi Korea, and Standard Chartered Korea—are collaborating to launch a joint venture to issue a won-based stablecoin. The initiative is expected to involve coordination with the Open Blockchain and Decentralized Identifier Association (OBDIA) and the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute (KFTC), a key body managing the country’s interbank payment infrastructure.

The consortium is expected to formally launch by late 2025 or early 2026, in line with South Korea’s advancing legislative efforts to support the stablecoin ecosystem.

Interest in Korean won-pegged stablecoins has surged following the election of President Lee Jae Myung, who has pledged to approve and encourage private sector involvement in stablecoin development. Earlier this month, lawmaker Min Byeong-deok introduced legislation aimed at fast-tracking the approval of won-based stablecoins.

In an interview with The Block, Min said the initiative is designed to foster private stablecoin issuance and promote their use across sectors such as content creation, gaming, and e-commerce. He emphasized the broader benefits, including lower trade costs, diversified forex exposure, and increased foreign investment into the South Korean economy.