Naver-Dunamu Integration Targets AI + Blockchain Rails for Global Finance
Naver, Naver Financial, and Dunamu have approved a corporate integration that folds Dunamu into the Naver group through a comprehensive stock exchange with Naver Financial. The companies presented the plan on Nov. 27 at Naver's 1784 headquarters, with top leadership from all three firms in attendance.
The core thesis: pair Naver's AI stack with Dunamu's blockchain infrastructure to build next-generation financial and lifestyle services. Leadership framed this as a timely move as agentic AI systems mature and blockchain adoption accelerates.
What the deal changes
Post-integration, Naver brings AI, search, and consumer reach; Naver Financial contributes a payment base of 34+ million users and an annual payment volume above 80 trillion won; Dunamu adds Upbit's top-tier digital asset exchange footprint and blockchain technology such as Giva Chain. The companies say this creates a full stack across users, data, technology, services, and capital.
Dunamu and Naver Financial will prioritize subsidiary incorporation via stock exchange mechanics and pursue operating synergies. Beyond that, leadership signaled limited additional governance changes, with attention placed on entering global markets and expanding access to capital markets.
Why it matters for finance
Executives highlighted tokenization and agentic AI as the inflection point. Vice Chairman Kim projected that most assets will distribute on blockchain rails over time; the group plans to support tokenized instruments and related market infrastructure.
CEO Choi positioned the move as preparation for global expansion and a push into Web3 services, while Chairman Lee called out the need for faster decision cycles to compete with global digital finance players. Chairman Song said the goal is a next-generation financial infrastructure that spans payments, broader financial services, and lifestyle applications.
Capital commitment and ecosystem plan
The companies announced a 10 trillion won investment plan over five years to foster domestic AI and Web3 ecosystems. The stated aim is to spur foundational infrastructure and services so Korean firms remain competitive as global platforms emerge.
CEO Oh underscored that the integration is meant to convert a technology shift into an opening for growth-rather than a risk-by combining the firms' capabilities and moving decisively into global markets.
Where the synergies are likely
- Payments to digital assets: Extending from simple payments into tokenized assets, settlement, and custody services across retail and institutional segments.
- Agentic AI for finance: AI agents supporting onboarding, risk scoring, trade support, service ops, and compliance workflows-grounded in Naver's consumer and data assets.
- Exchange and market infrastructure: Upbit's scale paired with Naver's AI and distribution could streamline listings, liquidity programs, and market data products.
- Consumer lifestyle rails: Linking commerce, media, and financial services to drive usage and data flywheels across Web2 and Web3 channels.
What to watch next
- Regulatory review: Structure, disclosures, and controls across payments, brokerage-like functions, and tokenized assets will be scrutinized in each market.
- Tokenization scope: Which asset classes are prioritized first-stablecoins, tokenized deposits, money market instruments, funds, or real-world assets-as seen in initiatives like Project Guardian.
- Global rollout: Timing for cross-border services, liquidity partnerships, and institutional on-ramps.
- Data and AI guardrails: Governance, model risk management, and privacy architecture for agentic systems operating across finance workflows.
Key quotes
- Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon: "Blockchain mass adoption trends intersect with the transition to agentic AI... Naver and Dunamu have joined forces to pursue new innovation globally at this opportunity."
- Dunamu Chairman Song Chi-hyung: "We will design next-generation financial infrastructure combining AI and blockchain, covering payment services, the entire financial sector, and lifestyle services."
- Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin: "Naver's AI can capture the next-generation market only with synergy with Web3... we must make new attempts to compete with global companies."
- Vice Chairman Kim Hyung-nyun: "Tokenization... will expand. Through this integration, we will create a future where Korea leads in the borderless digital asset market."
For finance teams
- Prepare for tokenized instrument workflows: issuance, distribution, compliance, and post-trade that plug into both traditional and blockchain rails.
- Assess AI agent use cases with measurable ROI: onboarding, KYC/AML triage, customer ops, trade support, reconciliation, and reporting.
- Review vendor and exchange exposure: connectivity to Upbit and related services, API reliability, and data agreements.
- Upgrade control frameworks: model governance, on-chain monitoring, and cross-jurisdiction licensing for new product lines.
For background on tokenization trends and market design, see the BIS overview of tokenized finance here.
If you're building AI capacity inside a finance team, this curated list of practical tools may help: AI tools for finance.
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