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Seoul / New York, November 29, 2025:
In a landmark move for Asian Web3, blockchain security leader CertiK has joined forces with WEMADE, the parent company of the WEMIX gaming ecosystem, to establish the Global Alliance for Korean Won Stablecoin (GAKS).
The consortium, which also includes compliance heavyweight Chainalysis and cross-border payment firm SentBe, aims to launch StableNet, the first dedicated, fully audited mainnet built exclusively for regulated Korean won (KRW)-pegged stablecoins.
The announcement positions South Korea as a serious contender in the race to create localized fiat-backed digital currencies, directly challenging the near-monopoly of USD stablecoins in global crypto markets.
Key Takeaways
- GAKS is the most heavily secured stablecoin initiative ever launched in Asia, backed by CertiK and Chainalysis from day one.
- StableNet testnet arrives December 2025, with full KRW stablecoin mainnet in early 2026.
- The alliance deliberately avoids direct token issuance, focusing instead on bulletproof infrastructure to attract licensed financial institutions.
- This move marks WEMADE’s redemption arc after the 2022–2023 WEMIX crisis and positions Korea as a regulatory leader in Web3.
- Expect rapid adoption in gaming, esports prize pools, and overseas Korean worker remittances.
Background: Why Korea Needs Its Own Stablecoin Now
WEMADE, once one of Korea’s most celebrated gaming companies, has spent much of 2022–2024 fighting for survival after major domestic exchanges delisted its WEMIX token over transparency concerns.
The company has since pivoted aggressively into regulated blockchain infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Asia’s gaming industry, valued at over $100 billion, remains heavily reliant on USD-pegged stablecoins such as USDT and USDC for in-game economies and cross-border payouts.
Currency conversion fees, exchange-rate volatility, and regulatory gray zones have created persistent friction for developers and players alike.
Enter GAKS: a security-first, compliance-by-design alliance that promises to deliver a KRW stablecoin ecosystem trusted by institutions, gamers, and remittance users.
Key founding partners and their roles:
- CertiK: Full security audits, node validation, block explorer deployment
- Chainalysis: Real-time threat monitoring via Hexagate and Sentinel tools
- SentBe: Licensed fiat on/off ramps and cross-border settlement
- WEMADE: Gaming use-case integration via WEMIX 3.0 and governance leadership
Inside StableNet: Technical and Compliance Blueprint
StableNet is being built as an open-source, consortium-governed Layer-1 blockchain optimized for issuing, transferring, and redeeming KRW-backed stablecoins.
Unlike general-purpose chains, every core component has been designed with Korean and international regulatory standards in mind.
Key milestones:
- Public Testnet: December 2025
- Mainnet launch: Q1 2026
- Initial stablecoin issuers expected to include licensed Korean financial institutions
CertiK CEO Ronghui Gu stated:
“We’ve audited billions in assets and secured some of the largest protocols in Web3. Applying that same rigor to an entire nation-state stablecoin infrastructure is a natural evolution. StableNet will set the global benchmark for secure, compliant fiat-backed chains.”
WEMADE Vice President Shane Kim added:
“After years of building blockchain gaming, we realized the missing piece was trusted money. GAKS delivers exactly that, Korean won that lives natively on-chain, fully audited, and ready for mass adoption.”
Strategic Impact: Gaming, Remittances, and Beyond
Industry analysts see immediate winners:
- Web3 Gaming: WEMIX ecosystem games can transition from volatile governance tokens to stable KRW for in-game purchases and rewards.
- Cross-border remittances: Korea sent and received over $15 billion in remittances last year; SentBe’s integration could slash fees from 6–8% to under 1%.
- DeFi and institutional adoption: A regulated KRW stablecoin opens the door for Korean banks, pension funds, and corporations to participate in on-chain finance without USD exposure.
Longer term, GAKS could inspire similar alliances for JPY, SGD, and other Asian fiat currencies, gradually eroding USD stablecoin dominance in the region.
Conclusion
The Global Alliance for Korean Won Stablecoin is more than another stablecoin project, it is Asia’s most ambitious attempt yet to build sovereign digital money that is secure enough for institutions, fast enough for gamers, and compliant enough to survive regulatory scrutiny.
As USD stablecoins face increasing geopolitical and regulatory pressure worldwide, initiatives like GAKS may signal the beginning of a multi-polar stablecoin era.
One question now dominates industry chatter:
Can a Korean won stablecoin actually challenge Tether and Circle on their home turf in Asia?
Read Next:
- Stablecoins on Layer-3s
- Stablecoin Tax Guide 2025: Reporting and Tools for Compliance
- The Future of Stablecoins: What's Next in 2026 and Beyond
FAQs:
1. What exactly is the Global Alliance for Korean Won Stablecoin (GAKS)?
GAKS is a consortium founded by WEMADE, CertiK, Chainalysis, and SentBe to develop StableNet, a dedicated, audited blockchain mainnet for issuing and managing fully compliant KRW-pegged stablecoins.
2. Will WEMADE or CertiK issue the actual KRW stablecoin?
No. The alliance is building the infrastructure only infrastructure. Actual stablecoin issuance will come from licensed Korean financial institutions to ensure full regulatory compliance.
3. When can we expect the first KRW stablecoin to go live?
StableNet public testnet launches in December 2025. The mainnet and first regulated KRW stablecoins are targeted for Q1–Q2 2026.
4. How is this different from using USDT or USDC in Korean games?
A native KRW stablecoin eliminates currency conversion costs, reduces foreign-exchange risk for players and developers, and operates under clearer Korean regulatory oversight.
5. Is this safe? Has CertiK audited the code yet?
CertiK is performing ongoing security audits from day one, including formal verification of critical components. Chainalysis tools provide continuous transaction monitoring, making StableNet one of the most heavily vetted stablecoin networks ever built.
