Backpack and SK Securities announced a partnership on 29 October to bring Korean-stock trading to eligible non-resident foreign investors through the Backpack app. Korean-listed equities are the initial focus, with tokenised securities and other real-world assets described as a broader area of collaboration. The companies did not announce a launch date.[1]
SK Securities will contribute underwriting, issuance and securities-distribution capabilities. Backpack brings blockchain infrastructure, digital-asset custody capabilities and its international customer base. The companies say their work will span structuring, issuance, custody and distribution, subject to applicable rules.[1]
What is announced and what remains open
Partnership scope
| Area | Announced position | Still to be established |
|---|---|---|
| Initial product | Access to Korean equities for eligible non-residents | Launch date, market list and order typesSource 1 |
| Local role | SK Securities supports underwriting, issuance and distribution | Exact carrying broker and settlement chain for each clientSource 1 |
| Backpack role | Application, infrastructure, custody experience and global distribution | Whether securities assets sit inside the same custody perimeter as crypto assetsSource 1 |
| Longer-term direction | Foundation for tokenised real-world assets | Which instruments, legal claims and regulatory approvals will applySource 1Source 2 |
Cross-border Korean share access can require identity, residency, tax, foreign-investor and funding checks that differ from crypto-account onboarding. The phrase eligible non-resident is therefore doing important work. It signals that availability will depend on law and account status rather than simply on downloading the Backpack app. The companies say the service will comply with applicable rules, but they do not yet publish the operating workflow.[1][2]
Tokenisation is not the current product
The initial equity-access plan and the longer-term tokenisation work are separate parts of the announcement. It does not identify which Korean instruments would be tokenised or publish the legal rights of any future token. Customer fees, the carrying broker and detailed settlement arrangements also remain unspecified.[1]
Sources & further reading
- Backpack and SK Securities partner to expand access to Korean equities Backpack · 29 Oct 2026 · Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Backpack and SK Securities announce partnership to expand global access to Korean equities Backpack · 29 Oct 2026 · Accessed 30 Oct 2026