Exilist’s Secret to Building Trust in Korea’s Crypto Scene

Despite Korea’s fame for cautious adoption, even politicians and older generations are actively buying and selling crypto, an perception that highlights the nation’s distinctive Web3 market. In this interview, Lily Park, CEO and co-founder of Exilist, shares her journey from discovering blockchain in 2017 to founding a agency that helps world tasks navigate the Korean market. 

She discusses how Exilist bridges the hole between hype and belief, builds sturdy communities, and adapts worldwide methods to match native tradition, providing a uncommon inside take a look at Korea’s evolving crypto and Web3 ecosystem.

Firstly, Lily, might you please introduce your self and share your path to Web3?

Yes, so I’m Lily. I’m the CEO and co-founder of Exilist, and my journey started again in 2017. One of my earlier co-workers launched me to CoinOne, which was at the moment one of many high two or three crypto exchanges in Korea. I labored there for about three years. Back then, I didn’t know something about blockchain. 

I had no understanding of Ethereum, Bitcoin, or the know-how, however throughout my time at CoinOne, I grew to become very in the blockchain business. I labored as a company account administration lead and had the possibility to work with many world market makers in addition to product groups making an attempt to listing, or already listed, on CoinOne.

After that, I moved to a GTM PR agency based mostly in the China area. I labored there for about two and a half years as a partnership director, which gave me extra alternatives to work together with international product groups. I seen that many international tasks, principally US- or Europe-based, had difficulties coming into the Asian market. That expertise impressed me to discovered Exilist, and right here I’m.

What impressed the founding of Exilist? What hole in the market does it goal to fill?

We began from a quite simple concept. The crypto market was rising so quick, however good info and long-term views had been lacking. Most advertising and marketing on the time was about short-term hype. Back in 2021–2022, many tasks had been experiencing 20x or 100x progress, and everybody was caught up in the hype. Very few individuals tried to perceive why sure tasks earned belief and maintained it.

We noticed a niche between information and storytelling, between what buyers noticed and what the neighborhood felt. Exilist was constructed to join these dots. We mix analysis, storytelling, and neighborhood advertising and marketing to assist world tasks enter the Korean market in a better, extra sustainable manner. For us, crypto isn’t nearly worth or hypothesis; it’s about actual worth. We goal to assist individuals perceive that clearly.

How does Exilist measure success in its advertising and marketing and funding initiatives?

We measure success in two dimensions: efficiency and notion. Performance consists of tangible metrics like neighborhood progress, engagement, search engine optimisation visibility, and media attain. But what really defines success for us is notion change, serving to tasks rebuild or strengthen belief in the Korean market.

For instance, we as soon as labored with a venture that confronted difficulties after its token launch. The worth dropped sharply, and neighborhood belief declined, regardless that it wasn’t the crew’s fault. Our function was to talk transparently, spotlight the crew’s efforts and technical progress, and keep constant engagement with customers. 

After these actions, a neighborhood survey confirmed that the majority Korean customers believed the crew had dealt with the scenario responsibly and had regained credibility. That form of transformation is what we goal for, not simply rising neighborhood dimension.

Do you see the Korean market general open to Web3?

Korea is a singular market. People from exterior may see it as closed due to language boundaries and cultural or regulatory variations, however that’s not totally true. Even older Koreans, in their 40s and 50s, are very open to crypto funding. The buying and selling quantity they deal with is critical, and regardless of regulatory warnings or political discussions about taxes or bans, they actively commerce.

I wouldn’t say Koreans absolutely perceive Web3 but, however they’re open to applied sciences that may assist them adapt and doubtlessly earn returns. So the market is receptive, nevertheless it’s additionally cautious and considerate.

What initiatives does Exilist have to construct or strengthen the native crypto and Web3 neighborhood?

We give attention to constructing communities among the many Web3 viewers. In Korea, there are Web2 and Web3 audiences, and we primarily goal the Web3 section by Telegram. We localize communication, handle every day engagement, and guarantee customers really feel the venture genuinely cares in regards to the Korean market. We additionally companion with KOLs for AMAs, collaborations, and offline meetups.

Even in bear markets, we assist tasks keep energetic communities to protect belief and consistency. We’re now exploring methods to join Web3 with Web2 audiences, together with older age teams, to develop additional.

Could you inform us extra in regards to the occasions you arrange? What has been probably the most profitable occasion?

We arrange occasions throughout KBW seasons and out of doors them as effectively. KBW seasons are an amazing alternative to increase consciousness. For instance, we collaborated with a top-tier venture throughout a KBW facet occasion. We managed every thing from venue rental to ornament, model movies, and follow-up recaps. We additionally engaged KOLs to assist unfold consciousness. The occasion helped construct a powerful model presence and keep engagement even after the occasion ended.

How do you guarantee natural progress in your shoppers in the Korean market?

The key’s to communicate in the language of every neighborhood. Upbit, Korea’s main change, has over 12 million cumulative customers, reflecting a large demographic vary. This means Korean buyers are energetic throughout a broad spectrum of platforms and communities — not solely Telegram and Twitter, but in addition KakaoTalk open chats, Naver Cafe, DCInfacet, Blind, Instagram, and Threads. 

Exilist localizes content material to match every platform’s tradition, tone, and visible fashion. When customers really feel like ‘this isn’t an advert from a international venture, however our neighborhood’s personal story,’ that’s when belief is constructed — and that belief leads to natural progress.

How do you foresee the evolution of Korea’s crypto and Web3 markets over the following 5 years?

I’ve been in the business for over eight years, and whereas individuals usually say the market is maturing, I feel there’s nonetheless a great distance to go. The excellent news is that extra professionals from finance and tech are becoming a member of Web3, which helps the ecosystem evolve.

Regulation in Korea remains to be growing, however consciousness is rising. The problem is shifting past short-term hypothesis towards long-term schooling and venture improvement. Korean merchants are already world-class, and liquidity is robust, however on the venture stage, there’s nonetheless room for progress. I hope to see a very world Web3 venture emerge from Korea in the following 5 years. Policy and regulation will possible grow to be clearer, and as extra institutional gamers be part of, the market will grow to be extra structured, accountable, and sustainable.

What rising applied sciences or traits is Exilist most enthusiastic about proper now?

We are very enthusiastic about AI. We’re exploring how AI can improve effectivity and creativity for Web3 tasks in speaking with Korean customers. This consists of proposal era, KOL matching, marketing campaign evaluation, and reporting.

We’re additionally impressed by Web2 industries like meals franchises and inns. By analyzing how they construct loyalty and model expertise, we adapt these methods to Web3 so international tasks can provide higher model experiences in Korea.

How does Exilist steadiness short-term advertising and marketing campaigns with long-term model constructing?

Exilist’s technique focuses on constructing long-term belief and narrative consistency whereas working short-term actions that ship measurable outcomes. The strategy varies relying on every venture’s stage and goal — whether or not it’s making ready for TGE, constructing product use instances, rising a neighborhood, or repositioning the model narrative.

Ultimately, sustainable success depends on steady communication, belief, and schooling inside the neighborhood. Exilist delivers the venture’s imaginative and prescient clearly to customers whereas monitoring neighborhood suggestions and sentiment. By establishing a two-way communication loop, we obtain each short-term milestones and long-term model credibility. Short-term campaigns function strategic instruments to seize consideration and engagement, whereas long-term branding weaves these instruments collectively into lasting belief.

What’s the corporate’s strategy to coming into new markets exterior of Korea?

Local groups at all times perceive their markets greatest, and that’s how we function in Korea. For different areas, we collaborate with sturdy native companions who’ve deep connections and credibility. Instead of working every thing ourselves, we align our data-driven advertising and marketing framework with the native experience of companions.

As we develop, we plan to rent native expertise to study immediately from them and perceive every area’s viewers, communication fashion, and market conduct. That’s our strategy to new markets.

The submit Exilist’s Secret to Building Trust in Korea’s Crypto Scene appeared first on Metaverse Post.