Meritz Securities Partners With Ripple for Tokenization

Meritz Securities has signed a strategic partnership with Ripple to explore bringing institutional digital asset custody and tokenization infrastructure into South Korea’s capital markets. According to Meritz Securities, the agreement covers a review of Ripple Custody and the company’s tokenization technology for possible use under existing securities rules and digital asset regulations.

The agreement was signed on Oct. 1 at Meritz Securities’ headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, with CEO Jang Won-jae and Ripple President Monica Long among the executives attending. The securities firm disclosed the partnership on Oct. 7 as it studies several digital asset businesses ahead of regulatory changes in South Korea.

Exploring Digital Asset Infrastructure

Under the partnership, Meritz and Ripple will examine how institutional infrastructure offered overseas could be applied to the Korean capital market. Meritz is reviewing businesses including spot crypto exchange-traded funds, fractional investment products, tokenized securities, trading platforms, and won-denominated stablecoins.

The firms will initially operate within existing securities and digital asset rules, with the scope expected to develop as South Korea introduces new regulations. South Korea's security token amendments are scheduled to take effect on Feb. 4, 2027.

Prior Korean Initiatives

The agreement follows earlier work by Ripple with Korean financial institutions, including a project with Kyobo Life Insurance to test government bond settlement using Ripple Custody. Other financial institutions in the region are also advancing tokenized products, such as KB Securities and Shinhan Asset Management.

Key facts

• Meritz Securities signed a strategic partnership with Ripple on Oct. 1, 2025, in Seoul.
• The collaboration focuses on studying Ripple Custody and tokenization infrastructure for South Korea's capital markets.
• Meritz is reviewing potential businesses including spot crypto ETFs, tokenized securities, and won-denominated stablecoins.
• Operations will initially remain within activities permitted under current securities regulations.