Terry Jang, left, one of the owners of Bitcoin Center Korea, gives a speech at the opening of the center on Feb. 28 in Itaewon, Seoul.

/ Courtesy of Bitcoin Center Korea



By Lee Min-hyung



A Bitcoin Center Korea that has opened in Seoul, aims to change the nation's perception about digital money.

"In order to take bitcoin adoption in Korea to the next level, we need to change the perception of bitcoin from a strictly high-risk investment to a potential mainstream currency," said Terry Jang, one of the owners. He is a co-founder of Digital Synergy, a startup that aims to improve the marketing side of bitcoin.

More than 40 local bitcoin community members gathered for the opening ceremony on Feb. 28.

The center aims to provide detailed information about bitcoin, which is not familiar to many Koreans. Anyone interested can get information from the center.

"Education is the key to bitcoin's adoption, and having a common place for discussion and networking will provide more opportunities for developers and users alike," said John Ra, the other co-founder of Digital Synergy.

In the heart of Itaewon, home to a large expat community, the center also helps foreigners to exchange bitcoins online, execute remittances and buy anything in Korea with bitcoins.