- Tether filed seven trademarks in South Korea as stablecoin policy talks gained fresh momentum.
- South Korea may require foreign stablecoin issuers to set up local branches and secure approval.
- Circle’s earlier filings and CEO visit show rising stablecoin interest in South Korea’s market.
Tether has filed new trademark applications in South Korea, placing its name and logo into the country’s public intellectual property system.
The filing was submitted on May 14, according to the Korean Intellectual Property Office’s information search service. The move comes as policymakers debate tighter rules for foreign stablecoin issuers.
Tether Expands Korean Filings
According to a local media report, Tether recently filed seven trademarks in Korea. The applications include the “Tether” logo and Tether Gold, also known as XAUT. The company had previously filed domestic trademarks mainly around stablecoin product names.
The latest applications, however, are broader, as they include the company identity and logo. Besides, industry data showed similar activity by major stablecoin issuers.
Circle, the second-largest stablecoin issuer, filed trademark applications with the Korean patent office last December. Earlier reports also said Tether had filed six trademarks in South Korea, while Circle had filed 11. Regardless, the filings came as stablecoin policy talks gained speed.
South Korea’s Branch Rule Debate Raises Stablecoin Stakes
The trademark activity is drawing attention as South Korea is discussing new rules under the Framework Act on Digital Assets. Per reports, one proposal would require overseas stablecoin issuers to establish a domestic branch before conducting distribution business in the country.
Legal analysis of the draft framework also suggests that foreign issuers would need approval from the Financial Services Commission.
Notably, if foreign issuers must operate locally, trademark ownership could become part of market preparation. As a result, the Korea Intellectual Property Office’s English portal directs users to KIPRIS for detailed searches. This means the filings are traceable through the official public record system.
Circle’s Korea Meetings Show Rival Stablecoin Interest
The filings also follow growing attention from Circle. Its founder and CEO, Jeremy Allaire, visited Korea in April. During the visit, he met domestic financial holding companies and virtual asset exchanges. The talks focused on potential cooperation in the local market.
Allaire described Korea as one of the world’s most dynamic virtual asset markets. He also called it a candidate for a mature, stablecoin market. Meanwhile, Tether has not announced regulatory approval, a launch date, or the opening of a Korean branch.
For now, the trademark filings only confirm brand registration activity. Still, the timing is notable. Stablecoin issuers are securing legal ground as South Korea weighs rules on reserves, licensing, and foreign operators.
Related: South Korea Builds AI Crypto Tax System as Police Probe Tether Laundering
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