Dunamu has officially launched GIWA, a Web3 infrastructure brand centered on an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain, exceeding market expectations at the Upbit Developer Conference on Tuesday in Seoul.
The announcement clarified months of speculation while revealing ambitions far beyond initial industry predictions.
Beyond Regulatory Constraints
GIWA Chain follows successful tokenless blockchain models like Coinbase’s Base, focusing on utility over speculative mechanisms.Sponsored
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Industry analysts had theorized that Korean regulatory requirements would limit Upbit to launching only a restricted Layer 2 solution. Even those theories that emerged just before launching suggested GIWA would serve primarily as a regional onramp for Korean investors entering Web3.
The actual announcement, however, flipped this narrative entirely. Dunamu positioned the platform as a global infrastructure targeting international blockchain development communities.
Dunamu’s Product Lead Jun Song explained GIWA on launch day. Source: BeInCrypto
GIWA Chain operates on Optimistic Rollup architecture, confirming Layer 2 predictions. The platform leverages Dunamu’s subsidiary network across Southeast Asia to target global developers seeking accessible blockchain infrastructure. This operational foundation contradicts earlier speculation about a purely domestic focus.
The new blockchain will also support various services, including defi, stablecoin, reward programs, and real-world asset trading. Dunamu said the platform prioritizes developer tools and ecosystem growth over specific currency mechanisms.
GIWA Wallet demonstrates this broader vision by supporting multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Base, Optimism, Arbitrum, Polygon, and Avalanche. The multi-chain approach suggests interoperability rather than an isolated Korean market focus.
GIWA, Korea’s Traditional Roof
GIWA’s positioning as “Global Infrastructure for Web3 Access” signals ambitions matching established international networks rather than serving as merely a regional gateway for Korean liquidity into global Web3 markets.
GIWA’s distinctly Korean branding represents a strategic departure from typical blockchain naming conventions. While most crypto projects adopt abstract or technical names, Dunamu chose “GIWA” to evoke traditional Korean roof tiles that have protected homes for centuries.
This cultural symbolism extends beyond mere marketing, positioning the blockchain as a protective infrastructure rooted in the country’s heritage. The choice signals confidence in Korean technological leadership while appealing to domestic pride in traditional craftsmanship adapted for digital innovation.
