Tether files seven trademarks, eyes South Korea expansion

Tether filed seven trademark applications in South Korea for its brand, logo, and Tether Gold, signaling plans for local expansion and compliance with new digital asset rules.

Tether has filed seven trademark applications in South Korea, covering its company name, logo, and the gold-backed stablecoin Tether Gold (XAUT). This marks a shift from previous filings that focused solely on product names, suggesting a broader strategy to establish a direct operational presence in the Korean market. The applications, submitted to the Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS), are seen as preparatory steps for launching comprehensive business activities in South Korea. This move is particularly significant as new regulations, such as the Digital Asset Basic Act, may require foreign stablecoin issuers to set up local branches. Industry analysts view these actions as Tether positioning itself ahead of competitors and preparing for anticipated regulatory requirements. Other stablecoin issuers, including Circle, are also increasing their activity in the region by filing similar trademarks and engaging with local financial institutions.