More than 500 visitors in two days; new members receive 70,000 won in investment support
First-time accounts opened on the spot by those who had been curious but hesitant
Safety investment guide distributed, stressing small-sum investing, DYOR and three key rules
"Do you have a lucky number? Pick one between 1 and 500 and take home a prize. New sign-ups also receive 70,000 won ($51) in investment support."
Walking into the Herald Money Festa 2026, held Friday and Saturday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul, the first thing to catch the eye was a large display board showing live prices for bitcoin and other digital assets — flanked by a booth dressed in Bithumb's signature orange. From the morning, a long queue of visitors eager to join the events stretched out in front of the Bithumb stand.
Bithumb ran a range of interactive events on site. Visitors who followed Bithumb's Instagram account and liked a designated post could choose a number from 1 to 500 for a prize draw. Giveaways included a bitcoin-shaped cushion, popcorn, a four-key keycap keyring engraved with the Bithumb logo and a four-leaf clover, and chocolates.
A new-member sign-up event was also held to give first-time investors a hands-on introduction to virtual assets. Seating was set up at the booth where staff guided visitors through the identity-verification process. New members received bitcoin worth 70,000 won, combining the standard sign-up benefit with additional coupons.
"Because this is a financial service, identity verification is required — customers first need to complete the know-your-customer process through the KB Kookmin Bank Star Banking app," a booth representative said. "Many people tell us the initial steps feel complicated and difficult." The representative added that a number of visitors said they had been interested in virtual assets for some time but had never taken the plunge, and used the event as the opportunity to finally get started. More than 500 people visited the Bithumb booth over the two days.
One corner of the booth displayed a fact-check guide pamphlet on safe virtual asset investing, produced for so-called "coin beginners" — first-time crypto investors. The pamphlet covered the travel rule and the definition of staking, how exchange assets can be stored via a cold wallet, and investor protection measures.
The guide also laid out "three commandments for safe investing" aimed at improving users' financial literacy. Bithumb urged readers to build experience with small amounts they can afford to lose without disrupting daily life — rather than investing an entire allowance or part-time paycheck — to adopt the habit of DYOR (Do Your Own Research) by reading white papers and official disclosures directly, and to understand the market's round-the-clock nature and set their own clear criteria for cutting losses and taking profits.
Kim Ji-tae, a university student in his 20s who said he mainly invests in domestic and overseas shares, said he sees bitcoin as a relatively safe asset compared with other altcoins. "Once I find a job and build up my assets, I'd like to include virtual assets in my investment portfolio," he said.
Jeong Jae-yong, a man in his 50s who attended the festival with his son, said he signed up for Bithumb on Saturday after visiting the event and becoming interested in virtual assets for the first time. "I'm thinking of doing a trial investment with a seed of less than 10 million won ($7,360)," he said.
kyoung@heraldcorp.com
