Emart24, a popular convenience store chain in South Korea, has partnered with local cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb to launch an innovative product called the Bitcoin “meal box.” This meal box, which will be available for purchase in-store, aims to provide customers with both a delicious meal and exposure to the world of Bitcoin.
The partnership between Emart24 and Bithumb will result in approximately 30,000 meal boxes being available by the end of the month. Priced at 5,900 Korean won ($4.30) each, these meal boxes are an affordable way for customers to experience the benefits of Bitcoin.
According to reports from local media, Bithumb has sweetened the deal by offering customers the opportunity to receive 10,000 won worth of Bitcoin. To claim this reward, customers simply need to download Bithumb’s app and enter the coupon number found in each meal box. This promotion serves as a great incentive for customers to explore the world of cryptocurrency.
But that’s not all – Bithumb is also offering an additional 20,000 won worth of Bitcoin to customers who create a Bitcoin account with the NH Nonghyup bank. Existing account holders can also avail of this offer by connecting their account to Bithumb. This move by Bithumb aims to encourage more people to participate in the cryptocurrency market and benefit from its potential.
Bithumb is a well-known cryptocurrency exchange in South Korea and is a member of the Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA), along with other leading exchanges such as Upbit, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax. The exchange has also announced its plans to become the first crypto exchange listed on the South Korean stock market, although its initial public offering has been delayed.
The introduction of the Bitcoin meal box comes at a time when the cryptocurrency market is experiencing significant attention following the highly anticipated halving event on April 20. Bitcoin 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 “boredom” among Bitcoin bulls after the halving event.
Bitcoin’s momentum has been further fueled by the approval of the first Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States on January 10. In South Korea, news broke on May 7 that the newly elected democratic party has promised to allow Bitcoin ETFs and plans to make the request after the opening of the National Assembly in June. This move signals a positive shift in the country’s stance towards cryptocurrencies.
However, it is important to note that South Korea has been implementing stricter regulations on the crypto space in recent years. In 2024, legislators introduced harsher penalties for crypto-related crimes and issued new guidelines for cryptocurrency exchanges. Financial regulators have also been vigilant in cracking down on unlicensed exchanges operating in the country.
Overall, South Korea’s crypto universe is a unique and fascinating landscape, with the Bitcoin meal box being just one example of the innovative ways in which cryptocurrencies are being integrated into daily life.