Samsung SDS plans to combine its cloud, cybersecurity, and IT services with Dunamu's blockchain expertise, President and CEO Lee Jun-hee said on the company's second-quarter 2026 earnings call July 29. The move is aimed at capturing South Korea's emerging digital asset infrastructure market — a space where traditional enterprise IT and crypto-native services are starting to converge.
Inside the earnings call
Lee outlined the strategy during the call, though he didn't provide a detailed timeline or financial terms. Samsung SDS recently made an investment in Dunamu, the company behind South Korea's largest crypto exchange, Upbit. The exact size of that investment wasn't disclosed.
The combination will pair Samsung SDS's enterprise cloud and cybersecurity offerings with Dunamu's blockchain development and digital asset custody capabilities. For Samsung SDS, it's a bet that institutional clients — banks, insurers, and large corporations — will need a single vendor for both traditional IT and blockchain-based services.
Why Dunamu
Dunamu isn't just an exchange operator. It has built a suite of blockchain tools, including a digital asset wallet, tokenization platforms, and a blockchain network called BORA. That technical stack gives Samsung SDS a ready-made entry point into the crypto infrastructure business without having to build from scratch.
The timing isn't accidental. South Korea's regulators have been tightening rules around crypto exchanges and custody providers, pushing the industry toward more formal, compliant infrastructure. Companies that can offer both IT security and blockchain services are in a stronger position to win those contracts.
South Korea's digital asset push
The country has long been a hotbed for crypto trading, but the infrastructure layer — custody, settlement, tokenization — is still developing. Samsung SDS's move signals that a major traditional IT player sees a real market here, not just a speculative one.
Lee didn't say whether the combined unit would operate under a new brand or remain separate. He also didn't address how the integration would affect Dunamu's existing partnerships or its exchange business. Those details are expected to come in the following quarters.
The integration is expected to unfold over the coming months. No specific deadline was given. For now, the market is waiting to see how Samsung SDS and Dunamu will structure their combined offering — and whether other South Korean IT giants follow suit.
