Franklin Templeton, Northern Trust, Moody’s to Join KBW2026 in Seoul, Focusing on Asset Tokenization

Senior executives from Franklin Templeton, Northern Trust, Moody’s, and S&P Global are confirmed to attend KBW2026, the annual blockchain conference in Seoul, co-hosted with Upbit. The event is scheduled to run from September 29 to October 1, bringing together institutional finance leaders to discuss the growing intersection of traditional finance and blockchain technology.

Key Speakers and Institutional Focus

The speaker lineup includes Chetan Karkhanis, Senior Vice President at Franklin Templeton; Alvin Chia, Senior Vice President at Northern Trust; and Jin Fang, Executive Director at Moody’s. These executives will participate in sessions covering asset tokenization and the broader on-chain transition within institutional finance. Representatives from New York Life Investment Management and SBI Securities are also scheduled to speak, alongside figures from Coinbase, BitGo, and Bitwise.

The conference will open with the Upbit Institutional Summit, a private event designed for institutional investors, on September 29. The main conference sessions will follow on September 30 and October 1, offering a mix of keynotes, panels, and networking opportunities.

From Proof-of-Concept to Production

According to FactBlock CEO Park Wi-ik, blockchain initiatives in the financial industry have evolved significantly over the past few years. What was once largely experimental, involving proof-of-concept projects and feasibility testing, has now matured into a phase where core financial functions—such as product issuance, custody, and credit rating information—are being integrated directly on-chain. This shift signals a more practical adoption of blockchain technology in areas that directly impact financial markets.

Why This Matters

For institutional investors and financial professionals, the participation of major firms like Franklin Templeton, Northern Trust, and Moody’s underscores a growing acceptance of blockchain as a legitimate infrastructure for financial services. The discussions at KBW2026 are expected to provide clarity on how traditional financial institutions are approaching tokenization and on-chain operations, offering insights that could influence future investment strategies and regulatory considerations.

Conclusion

KBW2026 in Seoul is set to be a significant gathering for those tracking the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain. With senior representation from global financial leaders, the conference will likely highlight practical use cases and the strategic direction of institutional adoption. As the event approaches, further details on specific sessions and announcements are expected to emerge.

FAQs

Q1: What is KBW2026?
KBW2026 is the annual Korea Blockchain Week, co-hosted with Upbit, taking place in Seoul from September 29 to October 1. It includes the Upbit Institutional Summit and a main conference focused on blockchain and digital assets.

Q2: Who are the notable speakers at KBW2026?
Speakers include senior executives from Franklin Templeton, Northern Trust, Moody’s, S&P Global, New York Life Investment Management, SBI Securities, Coinbase, BitGo, and Bitwise.

Q3: What topics will be discussed?
The main themes include asset tokenization, the on-chain transition in institutional finance, and the integration of blockchain into core financial functions such as custody and credit rating information.