Emart24, a popular convenience store chain in South Korea, has announced a new partnership with local cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb to introduce an innovative Bitcoin “meal box” that customers can purchase in-store. The meal boxes, of which there will be approximately 30,000 available by the end of the month, will be priced at 5,900 Korean won ($4.30) each.
In an exciting offer, customers who download Bithumb’s app and enter the coupon code found in each meal box will receive 10,000 won worth of Bitcoin. Furthermore, Bithumb is also providing 20,000 won worth of Bitcoin to customers who create a Bitcoin account with the NH Nonghyup bank. Existing account holders can connect their accounts to Bithumb to receive the additional Bitcoin.
As one of South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, Bithumb is a proud member of the Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA), alongside Upbit, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax. Bithumb has also expressed its intention to become the first crypto exchange to be listed on the South Korean stock market, although its plans for an initial public offering have faced delays.
This exciting development of the Bitcoin meal box comes in the wake of the highly anticipated halving event that occurred on April 20, which has generated significant interest and excitement around the cryptocurrency. Bitcoin recently reached a new all-time high in March, almost surpassing $74,000. However, analysts believe that the current dip in price is a result of Bitcoin bulls experiencing a sense of “boredom” following the halving event.
Bitcoin’s popularity has been further bolstered by the approval of the first Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States on January 10. In South Korea, the newly elected democratic party has made promises to allow Bitcoin ETFs and plans to make the request after the National Assembly opens in June.
However, it is important to note that South Korea has been implementing stricter regulations in the crypto space in recent years. In 2024, legislators introduced harsher penalties for crypto-related crimes and established new guidelines for cryptocurrency exchanges. In late 2023, financial regulators in South Korea began urging crypto users to report any unlicensed exchanges operating in the country.
South Korea’s crypto universe continues to be unique and impressive, with Emart24 and Bithumb’s Bitcoin meal box being just one example of the exciting developments in the country’s cryptocurrency landscape.