iM Bank Files Trademark Applications for Stablecoin-Related Terms

iM Bank (President Byung-Woo Hwang) has filed trademark applications related to Korean Won (KRW)-based stablecoins.
The bank applied for a total of 12 trademarks, including ‘iMKRW,’ ‘iMST,’ and ‘KRWiM,’ which combine ‘KRW’ with the bank’s new name ‘iM’ following its recent rebranding after becoming a commercial bank.

iM Bank previously joined the Open Blockchain & DID Association (OBDIA) and became a member of its stablecoin committee. The bank plans to internalize digital asset technology and promote digital financial service strategies by securing trademark rights in anticipation of the legal institutionalization of KRW-based stablecoins.

A stablecoin is a virtual asset designed to maintain price stability by pegging its value one-to-one with a fiat currency, such as the U.S. dollar or the Korean won (e.g., 1 coin = 1,000 KRW). Currently, legal frameworks for introducing KRW-based stablecoins are under discussion in South Korea.

iM Bank stated that the trademark applications are part of a proactive response to movements in the domestic stablecoin market. The bank also emphasized that it will continue to closely monitor the development of related legislation and market conditions moving forward.