KEYTAKEAWAYS
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Bank of Korea forms Virtual Assets Task Force to shape policy and regulation around KRW-based stablecoins and digital asset infrastructure.
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eToro will tokenize 100 U.S. stocks on Ethereum, offering 24/5 trading and bridging TradFi with DeFi through RWA tokenization.
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Etherex launches REX token on August 6 to build liquidity on Linea zkEVM, aiming to lead DeFi on the Layer 2 network.
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BANK OF KOREA ESTABLISHES VIRTUAL ASSETS TASK FORCE AMID ACCELERATING STABLECOIN LEGISLATION
The Bank of Korea (BOK) has established a new “Virtual Assets Task Force” under its Financial Settlement Bureau and renamed its former “Digital Currency Research Team” to the “Digital Currency Office.” This organizational revamp reflects a shift from academic research to direct policy engagement, aiming to address the legislative momentum surrounding KRW-based stablecoins.
The new task force will serve as a bridge between the central bank and key stakeholders, including the government and National Assembly, actively participating in regulatory frameworks around stablecoins and virtual assets. This move signals a more proactive stance from the BOK as stablecoins continue to draw regulatory focus globally.
KRW-denominated stablecoin initiatives have gained traction in South Korea, with major tech and financial institutions—such as Kakao’s Klaytn ecosystem and Shinhan Bank’s cross-border payment pilots—exploring real-world applications. The task force is expected to clarify the role distinctions between CBDCs and privately issued stablecoins, and may participate in sandbox trials, AML compliance frameworks, and cross-border settlement pilots. Overall, the BOK’s move underscores its growing commitment to shaping South Korea’s digital asset policy and infrastructure.
ETORO TO TOKENIZE STOCKS ON ETHEREUM, BRIDGING RWA AND DEFI
Social investment platform eToro has announced a major upgrade, introducing 24/5 tokenized trading for stocks and ETFs. The first batch of 100 U.S. equities will be issued as ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum, enabling trading beyond traditional market hours and integrating features like transfers, staking, and DeFi compatibility to enhance asset liquidity and composability.
eToro positions this move as a strategic push into the tokenized future of finance. Tokenized equities will offer global users greater flexibility and access, marking a key milestone in merging traditional finance (TradFi) with Web3 infrastructure.
eToro’s move aligns with industry-wide momentum in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Competitor xStocks has already integrated with multiple exchanges via Solana, achieving cross-platform tradability. Meanwhile, eToro also announced a partnership with CME Group to launch spot-based futures contracts in selected European markets, expanding its suite of risk management tools. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive RWA strategy, positioning eToro at the forefront of blockchain-powered finance.
ETHEREX TO LAUNCH REX TOKEN ON AUGUST 6, EXPANDING LINEA DEX INFRASTRUCTURE
Etherex, a decentralized exchange building on zkEVM scaling solution Linea, announced the launch of its official website (etherex.finance) on July 29 and plans to issue its native token REX on August 6. Focused on building deep liquidity infrastructure within the Linea ecosystem, Etherex aims to become one of the leading DEX projects on this emerging Layer 2 network.
With the slogan “The chain is Linea,” Etherex is signaling a clear commitment to Linea’s ecosystem. The project encourages early-stage liquidity provider participation, offering multiple pool options and potential token incentives. As it ramps up its launch, key factors to watch include the design of REX’s tokenomics, ecosystem grant support, and collaboration with other Linea-native projects—critical elements in its ability to stand out in a competitive DeFi landscape.
