This year’s Korea Blockchain Week (KBW), the country’s biggest annual crypto event, was all about U.S. influence.
Members of the Trump family and their affiliated crypto projects took center stage at the event held at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul, Tuesday, courting the Korean market and generating significant buzz within the local industry.
Among the featured speakers were Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump and co-founder of American Bitcoin, and Eric Trump, his younger brother and co-founder of World Liberty Financial.
Executives from both companies also appeared in person to promote their respective businesses. Even the White House made its presence felt, with officials from the presidential council on digital assets signaling the president’s full-throated support for crypto initiatives.
Eric Trump kicked off the event with a virtual congratulatory message, courting the Korean market just as he had done at the Upbit D Conference on Sept. 9.
“I truly have to say every time I speak to Koreans, every time I speak to the great people of the country, I’m truly inspired,” he said. “You love cryptocurrency. You’re doing it as well as anybody in the region, and you should be incredibly proud of that.”
“I’m also really aware of the legal and institutional framework for crypto that’s being established there at a rapid pace and probably leading the entire region,” he added. “This trajectory really makes it clear that Korea is poised to establish itself — no different than America — as the undisputed leader in the blockchain industry in Asia.”
Donald Trump Jr. also joined a session virtually, alongside the executive chairman and president of American Bitcoin, noting the potential of the Korean market.
Industry officials say Korea’s ample liquidity, sometimes referred to as a “liquidity El Dorado,” and its technological excellence make the country an attractive battleground for global crypto projects.
“The new administration is so progressive and crypto has very bright days ahead in South Korea,” said Mike Ho, executive chairman of American Bitcoin. “Everyone loves trading crypto here. Your retail flows are incredible.”
Eric Trump, co-founder of World Liberty Financial, delivers a virtual congratulatory message during Korea Blockchain Week 2025 at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Factblock
Zak Folkman, co-founder of World Liberty Financial, said his goal is to partner with the best stablecoin projects in Korea.
“We have some incredible partnerships that we’re working on this week. We will be back very soon to make those announcements,” said Folkman.
Even without the Trump family physically present, their influence was unmistakable. Many credited U.S. President Donald Trump and his family’s support of crypto with bringing greater regulatory clarity and helping the industry grow.
“We’re at an inflection point right now where, if we get this right and we allow the crypto industry to flourish and to take hold in the United States, there’s going to be no turning back the clock,” said Patrick Witt, executive director of the president’s council of advisors for digital assets.
This momentum appears to be setting a new agenda for Korea, at least among industry insiders considering how the country should adapt to new growth models and leverage its unique strengths.
Korea began endorsing institutional crypto investment earlier this year, and discussions around launching a Korean won-pegged stablecoin are more intense than ever, with several bills pending in the National Assembly.
Still, some argue more is needed.
Simon Seojoon Kim, CEO of leading blockchain VC firm Hashed, suggested the creation of a “K-digital citizenship” program, built on Korea’s massive K-pop fandom.
Kim noted that as Korea’s cultural influence continues to rise, more foreigners are visiting and settling in the country. However, the infrastructure to support a convenient and inclusive lifestyle for foreign residents remains underdeveloped.
In response, he proposed building a blockchain-based platform similar to the UAE’s TAMM, which integrates all government-supported services, including health care, education and legal contracts.
“Hundreds of millions of people (K-pop fans) are coming together in digital spaces, united by shared cultural values to form new communities,” Kim said. “To technically enable and support this movement, blockchain technology can play a pivotal role.”
