Mirae Asset eyes crypto asset exchange Korbit for acquisition

Mirae Asset Financial Group is considering an acquisition of Korbit, the fourth-ranked among Korea’s five digital asset exchanges, sparking speculation that the deal could shake up a market long dominated by Upbit and Bithumb, according to industry officials Monday. The Seoul-based financial group has been centering on traditional finance since its founding in the late 1990s and has no prior involvement in crypto-related businesses. The officials said Mirae Asset is in talks to acquire a 60.5 percent stake from NXC, Korbit’s largest shareholder, and a 31.5 percent stake from SK Planet, its second-largest shareholder. The combined 92 percent stake is estimated to cost between 100 billion won ($69.68 million) and 140 billion won. The potential purchase would be led by Mirae Asset Consulting, the group’s real estate and consulting affiliate, about 60 percent of which is controlled by founder Park Hyeon-joo and his wife. The consulting firm sits at the top of the group’s corporate structure, which spans securities, asset management, venture capital, life insurance and pension operatio