Introduction
Dunamu, the operator of South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, announced the launch of GIWA—a new Web3 infrastructure brand—at the Upbit Developer Conference in Seoul. The announcement, delivered on September 9, 2025, at 08:24 UTC, detailed the scope and purpose of GIWA and its component technologies. GIWA, an acronym for “Global Infrastructure for Web3 Access,” is designed to streamline blockchain adoption for developers and end users by leveraging layer-2 scaling and cross-chain asset management.
GIWA Chain
The core of the offering is the GIWA Chain, a layer-2 network built atop Optimistic Rollup technology. Optimistic Rollups package transaction data off-chain and post state roots on the underlying layer-1 network, reducing gas costs while maintaining security guarantees. The GIWA Chain will initially support EVM-compatible smart contracts, enabling seamless integration with popular development tools. Core features include low transaction fees, sub-second confirmation times, and a developer SDK for dapp deployment. A public testnet opened alongside the announcement and invited participants to explore governance modules and sample contracts.
GIWA Wallet
Complementing the chain is the GIWA Wallet, a mobile application that supports asset storage and transfers across multiple blockchains. At launch, the wallet integrates Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Polygon, and GIWA Chain. The interface offers in-app swaps via integrated DEX aggregators, custom gas fee controls, and a hardware wallet connectivity option. Dunamu emphasized a focus on user experience, with planned support for account abstraction and social recovery in future releases.
Strategic Rationale
The GIWA initiative addresses growing demand for domestic Web3 infrastructure outside of existing U.S. and Singapore-dominated ecosystems. Korea’s robust developer community and active DeFi market present an opportunity to capture local innovation while maintaining interoperability globally. Dunamu drew parallels between “giwa”—traditional Korean roof tiles—and the layered structure of blockchain technology, highlighting resilience and modularity. The company cited trademark filings spotted online as early indicators of a forthcoming announcement, which it confirmed at UDC 2025.
Market Context
GIWA joins a growing roster of exchange-backed layer-2 networks such as Coinbase’s Base, OKX’s OKChain, and Binance’s BNB Chain. Dunamu aims to differentiate through deep local market integration, regulatory alignment, and an emphasis on developer outreach. The launch arrives amid intensifying competition for layer-2 adoption, with major ecosystems racing to offer low-cost, high-performance alternatives to layer-1 congestion and fees.
Future Roadmap
Looking ahead, Dunamu plans a phased mainnet rollout, starting with permissioned access for institutional partners before opening to public validators. Governance proposals covering fee parameters, staking rewards, and upgrade mechanisms will be subject to community voting. The team also outlined plans for native stablecoin support, on-chain identity modules, and cross-chain bridges leveraging zk-proofs. While no official timeline for mainnet launch or GIWA Wallet maturity was provided, Dunamu pledged regular updates via its newly launched giwa.io portal.
With GIWA, Dunamu positions itself to capture a share of the evolving Web3 infrastructure market by coupling scalable layer-2 technology with multi-chain wallet functionality. The initiative underscores the company’s commitment to fostering blockchain innovation both within Korea and internationally.
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