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Jito Foundation has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Digital Asset Co. (KODA) to expand institutional access to JitoSOL staking in South Korea, bringing the Solana-based liquid staking token into a regulated custody framework ahead of expected policy changes.
The agreement focuses on building compliant pathways for custody and staking while targeting institutional investors preparing to enter the market under clearer rules. South Korea’s Financial Services Commission is expected to finalize a comprehensive digital asset framework in 2026, shaping how institutions can allocate capital to staking-based products.
The capital layer of Solana is coming to Korea! 🇰🇷
Jito Foundation has signed an MOU with KODA, Korea's largest digital asset custodian, to expand institutional access to JitoSOL across the Korean market.
"𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦… pic.twitter.com/DBIfkwjQo4
— Jito (@jito_sol) April 13, 2026
Jito’s expansion into Korea comes as institutions increasingly focus on yield-generating crypto strategies.
Marc Liew, Head of APAC at Jito Foundation, said the firm is seeing demand from two distinct groups:
JitoSOL allows users to stake SOL while retaining liquidity, a structure that has attracted institutional interest as custody and risk frameworks have matured over the past two years. The token has already seen institutional exposure in Europe through a 21Shares exchange-traded product launched in January 2026.
Korea Digital Asset Co. brings institutional-grade infrastructure to the partnership, including cold storage, MPC-based key management, and integrated staking services.
The custodian holds a registered VASP license and ISMS certification, and carries $20 million in digital asset insurance underwritten by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance. It is backed by KB Kookmin Bank and several financial investors, positioning it within Korea’s regulated financial system.
Under the agreement, institutional clients will be able to mint JitoSOL directly from SOL holdings through KODA’s custody interface. This allows institutions to stake directly from custody without moving assets across platforms.
2/ KODA was founded with investment from KB Kookmin Bank, Korea's largest commercial bank, and is backed by Hashed, Hatch Labs, Hanwha Securities, and Kyobo Securities.
The Jito Foundation and KODA will work together to reach out to institutions, provide education, and create…
— Jito (@jito_sol) April 13, 2026
The partnership comes as South Korea tightens oversight following a series of market incidents. In February 2026, a payout error at Bithumb exposed weaknesses in exchange controls, prompting regulators to introduce stricter reconciliation requirements and ownership limits.
These changes are pushing institutions to prioritize regulated custody and compliant staking routes.
Jito’s earlier collaboration with Hanwha Asset Management to explore a JitoSOL ETF suggests a broader strategy to integrate staking products into regulated investment vehicles. The KODA partnership extends that effort into custody and infrastructure.
LATEST: ⚡ South Korea's Hanwha Asset Management is partnering with the Jito Foundation to develop JitoSOL-backed Solana ETPs, targeting the country's expanding regulated crypto market. pic.twitter.com/M9adMs8NjB
— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) February 23, 2026
The current setup around JitoSOL points to preparation rather than large-scale deployment.
While institutional interest in staking is growing, allocation decisions remain tied to regulatory clarity and internal risk frameworks. Korea’s tightening controls, combined with evolving custody standards, may slow immediate adoption even as infrastructure improves.
For now, the partnership highlights a transition phase. Institutional capital isn’t fully deployed, but the systems required to support it are starting to take shape.
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