Naver and Upbit to pour $7 billion into AI, blockchain following mega-merger: reports

South Korea’s tech landscape is set for a major transformation as Naver Corporation and Upbit operator Dunamu reportedly prepare a massive $7 billion investment into artificial intelligence and blockchain innovation following their anticipated mega-merger. Industry insiders suggest the combined entity aims to become one of Asia’s most influential digital powerhouses, uniting Naver’s search, cloud, and data capabilities with Upbit’s deep Web3 and digital asset expertise.

According to reports, the merged ecosystem will prioritize three major growth tracks:
1. Advanced AI model development to enhance search intelligence, digital assistants, and enterprise automation;
2. Scalable blockchain infrastructure to power next-generation financial services, token economies, and digital identity frameworks;
3. Global expansion of Web3 services, leveraging Upbit’s leading crypto exchange footprint across South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Analysts say the $7 billion capital plan reflects rising competition with global giants like Google, OpenAI, and Binance, as Korean tech firms race to build sovereign AI capabilities and secure their leadership in the digital asset economy. The merger is expected to accelerate R&D, strengthen compliance frameworks, and deliver cross-platform innovation across fintech, cloud, digital payments, and AI-driven commerce.

If finalized, the Naver–Upbit alliance could redefine Korea’s strategic position in the global AI and blockchain markets, signaling one of the region’s boldest technology investments to date. Industry observers believe this move underscores a clear message: South Korea is gearing up to shape the future of intelligent internet services and next-generation decentralized applications.

Source: The Block

Voice of Osiz

At Osiz, we view the Naver–Upbit $7B post-merger investment as a defining moment for Asia’s tech trajectory. This bold move demonstrates how AI and blockchain, when strategically integrated, can unlock national-scale digital transformation and global competitiveness. Such initiatives reaffirm the growing urgency for sovereign AI innovation, secure blockchain infrastructure, and enterprise-grade Web3 adoption. This is a strong signal that the future belongs to companies willing to innovate beyond traditional boundaries and invest deeply in next-generation technologies.