Leading the Shift to a Startup-Centric Industry Landscape
Through Integration of Legal, Policy, and Ecosystem Frameworks
Wonhee Cho, managing partner at DLJ Law Firm, has officially taken office as the third president of the Korea Blockchain Startup Association. With a focus on the 2.0 Vision, a new leadership is now in full operation, simultaneously advancing regulatory response, industry convergence, and global strategy for blockchain startups.
The recent "Korea Blockchain Startup Association 2.0 Vision Announcement," held at Dreamplus in Gangnam, Seoul, was more than a simple inauguration ceremony; it was an event declaring a structural transformation of the blockchain industry. As the newly inaugurated third president, Wonhee Cho presented a direction that enables blockchain startups to become self-sufficient not only through technological foundations but also within social and policy frameworks, introducing modern strategies suited to a period of industrial transition. He emphasized that in times of upheaval, institutions are now more important than technology, and structures matter more than intuition. He stated that the association must serve as a comprehensive hub encompassing the entire blockchain industry.
The 2.0 Vision outlined by President Cho is a set of strategic action plans aimed at proactively responding to the complex regulatory environment and changes in the industrial structure surrounding the blockchain sector. First, he proposed establishing a system that supports the growth of blockchain companies, thereby creating an environment where these companies can build solid foundations with stability. Next, he announced plans to form collaborative networks with international technology companies and regulatory bodies to establish practical connections with the global market. He is also pursuing an approach that broadens the application of blockchain technology by fostering convergence with various fields such as AI, healthcare, ESG, and gaming, breaking down barriers between industries. Lastly, he emphasized strengthening the think tank function to encompass policy and regulation, thereby providing both institutional stability and direction across the industry.
These strategies represent an attempt to redefine blockchain as a foundational industry that functions within the social structure, rather than a technology-centric sector, and can be described as a comprehensive design to ensure harmonious operation within the robust yet flexible framework of modern industry.
As managing partner of DLJ Law Firm, President Cho is a legal expert who has long led advisory and policy response efforts in the blockchain and virtual asset sectors. Through his inauguration as association president, he is now expanding this expertise to the entire industry as a new field of action. He stated that by strengthening policy and legal advisory functions, he aims to help blockchain companies turn crises into opportunities amid rapidly changing regulatory environments. He also plans to secure channels for cooperation with government and large corporations, thereby establishing a foundation for technology companies to pursue practical collaborations and joint projects. At the same time, he announced plans to build strategic networks for IR, M&A, and investment attraction to provide tangible support for companies facing funding and business expansion challenges during their growth stages, and to introduce practice-oriented education programs to foster talent and enhance organizational expertise simultaneously.
In addition, he revealed that preparations are underway for technological and regulatory cooperation with major global blockchain foundations such as Avalanche, Solana, and the Ethereum Foundation. He pointed out that while technology knows no borders, regulations have clear boundaries, stressing that the association must play a bridging role to help overcome these boundaries.
The vision promoted by the association goes beyond slogans and is being translated into practical support systems. President Cho first announced plans to establish legal response strategies to enable blockchain companies to conduct business stably amid rapidly changing regulatory environments at home and abroad. This is intended to help blockchain companies maintain their bearings and not lose direction amid confusing regulatory trends. He also aims to promote convergence with various industries such as ESG, digital healthcare, smart manufacturing, and gaming, and to concretize entry strategies and scenarios so that companies can enter new markets more efficiently. Finally, he stated that the association will closely analyze the regulatory environments of major countries, such as the US SEC, Japan's FSA, and the EU's MiCA regulations, and design global expansion strategies accordingly, enabling domestic startups to remain competitive in overseas markets.
These strategies can be interpreted not merely as measures for the survival of startups, but as foundational work for long-term goals such as restructuring the industry and strengthening the institutional base. Through this comprehensive approach, the association seeks to lay the groundwork for the next stage of development in Korea's blockchain industry.
Under President Cho's vision, the association plans to implement the following four core tasks during the first half of 2025. First, it will establish a system to respond to ongoing legislative and institutionalization processes related to virtual assets in Korea, and participate in discussions to ensure the perspectives of blockchain companies are reflected during regulatory revisions. Second, it will analyze trends among regulatory authorities in major countries such as the US, Japan, and Europe, and share this information with the industry in real time, helping domestic companies design strategies that meet global standards. Third, it will secure communication channels with policy makers in government ministries, the National Assembly, and financial authorities, and strengthen cooperative frameworks for regulatory improvements. Lastly, it will plan and operate IR events and demo days to promote investment in startups, providing practical opportunities for companies with blockchain technology to enter the market stably.
These implementation plans are not one-off events but are designed as processes to restructure the industry ecosystem and lay a solid foundation for the social adoption of blockchain technology.
President Cho regards his inauguration not as a simple change of representative, but as a turning point for the redefinition of the entire blockchain industry. He emphasized that now is the critical moment for startups to move beyond a technology-centric language and redesign the industry using a modern language that integrates industry, regulation, and global strategy.
He stated, "The association must serve as a comprehensive foundation connecting technology and policy, capital and regulation. We will take the lead in restructuring the industry so that startups can continue to grow on a foundation as solid as metal."
The industry is now closely watching whether, through this leadership transition, the association can transform itself from a mere representative body into a comprehensive action entity that can actually change the structure and regulatory framework of the market.
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