Lighter rolls out first on-chain perps for Korean stocks

Lighter has introduced on-chain perpetual futures for major South Korean stocks, giving crypto traders direct access to Samsung, SK Hynix, and Hyundai.

Lighter has launched on-chain perpetual futures linked to major South Korean stocks, becoming the first decentralized exchange to offer crypto-based derivatives tied to companies such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Hyundai.

The rollout was announced by Lighter on Feb. 11, confirming that traders can now access perpetual contracts for Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, and a Korean Composite index with up to 10x leverage.

First on-chain perps for Korean blue chips

Lighter’s latest launch marks a step forward in blending traditional finance with decentralized trading. Samsung, SK Hynix, and Hyundai are among South Korea’s most influential firms, with strong links to global semiconductor, automotive, and technology supply chains.

Through perpetual futures, traders can take long or short positions on these stocks at any time, without dealing with brokers, custody rules, or market hours. The contracts are settled in crypto and remain open as long as margin requirements are met.

The platform’s zero-knowledge design helps reduce trading costs and improve execution. Fees are kept low, while transactions are processed without revealing sensitive user data on-chain.

This model is similar to crypto perpetuals but applies it to traditional assets. Instead of Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH), users now gain exposure to Korean blue-chip companies and the wider market index.

Growing interest in Korean stocks and crypto trading

The interest in South Korean stocks, particularly those in the semiconductor sector, has grown. Global auto sales continue to benefit Hyundai, while SK Hynix and Samsung have profited from the growing demand for memory chips related to AI.

The company’s lead in high-bandwidth memory played a major role in that result. Strong gains have also been delivered by semiconductor-focused funds, with some leveraged products reporting returns of 70% to 80% in recent months.

South Korea’s regulators have given the green light to a new wave of 2x leveraged ETFs tied to some of the country’s biggest names, including Samsung and Hyundai. The funds are set to launch in 2026, and officials plan to roll out investor education programs ahead of time to help people better understand the risks that come with leveraged products.

Lighter’s perpetual contracts are easier to access and offer more leverage than traditional financial products. At the same time, they operate outside the country’s regulated securities framework, which may be an important factor for some investors.

At the same time, South Korea remains an active crypto market. CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju recently said local exchanges still account for about 9.54% of global spot trading volume, despite a broader slowdown.

Lighter is betting that demand for hybrid financial products will keep growing, combining equity exposure with crypto-native infrastructure.