Hana Bank becomes the first Korean bank to issue digitally native notes on Euroclear’s D-FMI

The issuance demonstrates how distributed ledger technology can be integrated into established funding programmes, enabling instant settlement and enhanced operational efficiency

Singapore, Korea – Hana Bank has successfully issued USD100 million in five-year floating-rate digital bonds, making it the first Korean bank to issue a digital bond on Euroclear’s blockchain-based Digital Financial Market Infrastructure (D-FMI) platform.

The transaction marks the first issuance by a Korean bank of a Digitally Native Note (DNN) on Euroclear’s D-FMI. It is also the first digital bond to be listed on the SGX Group (Singapore Exchange), demonstrating how distributed ledger technology can be successfully integrated into established funding programmes, market infrastructure and investor workflows.

Standard Chartered acted as Sole Structuring Bank, Sole Lead Manager and Sole Dealer for the transaction, leading its structuring, execution and distribution.

Hana Bank’s issuance supports the continued development of Korea’s digital markets agenda, enabling instant same-day settlement (T+0), which enhances funding certainty and operational efficiency.

The issuance integrates seamlessly with Euroclear’s traditional global settlement network, enabling Hana Bank to leverage its existing Global Medium Term Note (GMTN) programme and allowing international institutional investors to securely trade the digital notes through their existing Euroclear accounts and trading systems. Delivering an investor-friendly experience – one comparable to conventional bonds – facilitates wider global participation and supports secondary market liquidity.

Beomjun Cho, Head of Financial Markets Group at Hana Bank, said: “This issuance marks an important milestone in Hana Bank’s broader digital innovation journey. As the first Korean bank to issue digitally native notes on Euroclear’s D-FMI, we have demonstrated how new and innovative digital infrastructure can be integrated into established funding programmes while maintaining the security, reliability and accessibility expected by institutional investors. We believe digital capital markets will play an increasingly important role in the future of finance, and we remain committed to supporting innovation that enhances efficiency, transparency and connectivity across financial markets.”

“This transaction is significant because it represents the entry of another major bank treasury into the digital bond market,” said Ankur Prakash, Head of Digital and Strategic Initiatives, Global Banking, Standard Chartered. “Each new issuer helps broaden the market, deepen institutional understanding and create new reference points for future adoption. As the first Korean bank to issue digitally native notes on Euroclear’s D-FMI, Hana Bank is helping extend the reach of digital market infrastructure into new geographies and investor communities. We believe transactions such as this will continue to build familiarity, confidence and capability across the market as digital capital markets evolve.”

Elodie Norman, Chief Commercial Officer, Asia Pacific, Euroclear, said: “As the first Korean bank to issue a digital bond through Euroclear’s D-FMI, Hana Bank is helping pave the way for broader adoption of digital capital markets in Asia. This transaction combines the efficiency benefits of digitally native issuance with the connectivity, liquidity and investor access offered by established market infrastructures. As adoption accelerates, the ability to bridge digital and traditional markets will be critical to scaling digital securities and unlocking their full potential for issuers and investors alike.”

For further information please contact:

Alvina Neo
Standard Chartered