Korea's First Exchange Korbit Launches 'Up to 40,000 KRW' Welcome Payback Event to Attract New Members

Korbit, South Korea's first virtual asset exchange, is officially launching the 'New Member Welcome Payback' event starting at 10:00 AM on April 27, 2026. This promotion will run for approximately two weeks until midnight on May 10, with the core objective of providing benefits worth up to 40,000 KRW to users signing up for Korbit for the first time in their lives. As the virtual asset market shows signs of recovery, with Bitcoin defending the $78,000 level, Korbit plans to maximize new inflows through an aggressive reward system.

The significant increase in new sign-up benefits from the previous 15,000 KRW level to 40,000 KRW is interpreted as Korbit's strategic move to narrow the market share gap with top-tier exchanges.

The event benefits consist of two main stages. The first stage, 'New Member Welcome Reward,' immediately pays 10,000 KRW to members who complete all simple missions presented within the Korbit app. Users must manually click the 'Receive' button on the Welcome Reward screen after achieving each mission to receive the reward, a mechanism designed to provide users with an immediate reward experience.

Two Key Benefits: Mission Rewards and Trading Payback

The second benefit is 'Trading Payback' linked to actual trading. In addition to the 10,000 KRW mission reward, additional payback is provided upon meeting trading conditions, completing the total benefit of 40,000 KRW. Korbit requires the mandatory linkage of a Shinhan Bank real-name account, which is part of the procedure to comply with the Virtual Asset User Protection Act and create a transparent trading environment.

• Targeting first-time sign-ups after 10:00 AM on April 27, 2026
• Mandatory completion of all Welcome Reward missions within the Korbit app
• Linking a real-name verified account and meeting trading conditions within the event period
• Temporary operation until midnight on May 10, with immediate reward payment

Currently, the top five virtual asset exchanges in Korea are engaged in a fierce reward competition to attract new customers. Bithumb is taking the most aggressive stance by offering benefits of up to 70,000 KRW through NH Nonghyup Bank linkage, while Coinone has put forward rewards worth 54,000 KRW in partnership with KakaoBank. Upbit is also maintaining benefits at the 50,000 KRW level for K-Bank users to defend its market position.

Korbit's 40,000 KRW payback is evaluated as an attempt to secure market competitiveness by moving away from its previously conservative marketing stance. In particular, as Korbit, which has emphasized financial-sector-level stability through its partnership with Shinhan Bank, increases the scale of cash-equivalent rewards, the influx of value-oriented new investors is expected to accelerate.

Comparison of New Sign-up Benefits Among Korea's Top 5 Exchanges

This strengthening of marketing among exchanges is becoming more sophisticated following the implementation of the Virtual Asset User Protection Act. It is evolving beyond simple cash payments toward providing users with actual trading experiences and encouraging them to settle within the platform. Korbit plans to support new users in experiencing a safe trading environment and converting into long-term customers through this event.

Experts predict that the 'reward war' between exchanges will continue for the time being as price volatility of major assets like Bitcoin increases. However, users should carefully check the detailed conditions and precautions for receiving rewards. Even if missions are completed within the event period, users may be excluded from benefits if they do not click the 'Receive' button or if they disconnect their account linkage.

Market Share Expansion and Future Outlook

In addition to this Welcome Payback, Korbit is strengthening various user-friendly features. Just as Coinone recently introduced a service to share statements from industry figures in real-time, Korbit is also seeking differentiation by providing reliable information to investors based on analysis from its research center. The key will be whether these efforts lead to an actual increase in market share.

In conclusion, the virtual asset market in the first half of 2026 is expected to see service and marketing competition among exchanges reach its peak alongside institutional integration. From the user's perspective, wisdom is needed to choose a primary trading platform by comprehensively considering the benefits, security, and trading convenience offered by each exchange. Korbit's move is expected to be a strong incentive among those options.