TEAM NAVER and Dunamu Declare Global First-Mover Strategy Through Transformative-Synergy Between AI and Web3
TEAM NAVER and Dunamu Declare Global First-Mover Strategy Through Transformative-Synergy Between AI and Web3
TEAM NAVER and Dunamu Declare Global First-Mover Strategy Through Transformative-Synergy Between AI and Web3
- New global growth opportunities open as blockchain mass adoption intersects with a major inflection point in AI technology
- Proactively responds to global tech trend of AI–Web3 convergence to demonstrate the strength of K-Fintech and secure global users, embedding into everyday life worldwide
- The alliance combines Dunamu’s blockchain/Web3/global top-tier digital asset trading volume, Npay’s payment and financial services, and NAVER’s AI and search infrastructure, as well as its large-scale content and commerce capabilities
- Following this “strategic corporate integration,” the companies plan to invest KRW 10 trillion over the next 5 years to expand Korea’s blockchain, Web3, and AI technology ecosystem
November 27, 2025
NAVER Corporation (CEO Choi Soo-yeon), NAVER FINANCIAL (CEO Park Sang-jin), and Dunamu Inc. (CEO Oh Kyoung-suk) each approved a “corporate integration” plan through a comprehensive stock swap between NAVER FINANCIAL and Dunamu at their respective board meetings the previous day. Under this plan, Dunamu will be incorporated as an affiliate of NAVER. On the 27th, the three companies held a joint press conference at NAVER’s headquarters building, 1784, to outline their vision for global expansion.
The event was attended by top executives from all three companies, including NAVER Chairman Lee Hae-jin, Dunamu Chairman Song Chi-hyung and Vice Chairman Kim Hyoung-nyon, NAVER CEO Choi Soo-yeon, Dunamu CEO Oh Kyoung-suk, and NAVER Financial CEO Park Sang-jin.
Advancing into the global market through the convergence of AI and Web3
In her remarks, CEO Choi stated, “We are at a pivotal technological moment, where the mass adoption of blockchain intersects with the evolution of AI into agentic AI—an AI capable of autonomous decision-making and task execution.” She added, “NAVER and Dunamu are aligned in seizing this moment to drive new global innovation,” explaining the background behind the corporate integration.
Chairman Song shared his vision, saying, “Together, the three companies will design next-generation financial infrastructure that merges AI and blockchain, establishing a new global platform ecosystem that goes beyond payments to encompass the entire financial sector—and eventually, everyday life services.”
NAVER Founder and Global Investment Officer Lee emphasized, “NAVER’s AI capabilities must work in synergy with Web3 to gain a first-mover advantage in the next-generation market.” He added, “For Dunamu and NAVER Financial to stay ahead in the global digital finance industry, we need a fast decision-making system, and only by taking bold, unprecedented steps can we remain competitive against global players.”
Vice Chairman Kim Hyoung-nyon noted, “Tokenization will soon expand to the point where most assets are issued and distributed on blockchain networks,” and expressed his ambition by stating, “Through this corporate integration, we aim to establish a future where Korea takes the lead in the borderless digital asset market.”
In his remarks, CEO Oh emphasized that the core objective of the deal is to combine the strengths of both companies, turning this global technological inflection point into an opportunity—not a crisis—and using it as a springboard for greater growth.
Pooling together Dunamu’s blockchain, Web3, and top-tier global digital asset trading volume, Npay’s payment and financial services, and NAVER’s AI, search infrastructure, and large-scale content and commerce capabilities
If the deal goes through, three major players will join forces: NAVER, Korea’s largest Internet company and a leading search and AI tech firm; NAVER Financial, the country’s top mobile payment provider with over 34 million users and annual transactions exceeding KRW 80 trillion; and Dunamu, operator of Upbit—the nation’s top global digital asset exchange by trading volume—and developer of advanced blockchain technologies such as Kiwa. The companies aim to seize new global opportunities by consolidating their respective strengths.
CEO Choi emphasized, “It’s important to ensure external stakeholders fully understand the shared vision of both companies.” She added, “Once this deal is finalized, we will prioritize global expansion, establish a collaborative work culture, and build a full lineup of users, data, technology, services, and capital, allowing us to be thoroughly prepared to make bold moves into the global Web3 market.”
KRW 10 trillion investment over 5 years to boost Korea’s tech ecosystem and demonstrate K-Fintech’s strength globally
CEO Choi went on to state that, following their integration, the three companies plan to take the lead in the industry by supporting the activation of Korea’s domestic tech ecosystem, especially in key areas such as AI and Web3. She emphasized that as global players equipped with advanced technology and service capabilities continue to emerge, it is critical for Korean companies to build and revitalize the foundational ecosystem in order to remain competitive. She also revealed plans to invest KRW 10 trillion over the next five years to nurture the AI and Web3 ecosystem.
CEO Oh stated, “Dunamu and NAVER Financial will first focus on expanding synergies through the comprehensive stock swap and corporate integration. Rather than pursuing additional changes to the governance structure, we will concentrate on advancing into global markets and enhancing access to capital markets,” outlining the path ahead. (End)
