In a groundbreaking collaboration, South Korea's Emart24 convenience store chain has partnered with the cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb to roll out Bitcoin-themed "meal boxes." Starting May 9, around 30,000 boxes will be sold, each allowing buyers to potentially win Bitcoin, enhancing the shopping experience with a digital twist.

Emart24 Unveils Bitcoin Meal Boxes in Strategic Tie-Up with Bithumb, Offering Exclusive Cryptocurrency Rewards

In a recent report by Cointelegraph, Emart24, a South Korean convenience store chain, has announced a new cooperation with local cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb to launch a new Bitcoin "meal box" available for purchase in stores.

On May 9, Emart24 and Bithumb announced that about 30,000 lunch boxes would be available by the end of the month. Each box will sell for 5,900 Korean won ($4.30).

According to local media sources, a Bithumb official stated that consumers can receive 10,000 won in Bitcoin by downloading the exchange's app and entering the coupon number in each meal box.

Additionally, Bithumb offers 20,000 won in Bitcoin to consumers who open a Bitcoin account with the NH Nonghyup bank. According to the spokesperson, users with an account must connect it to Bithumb to receive the additional Bitcoin.

Bithumb Aims for Market Listing Amid Regulatory Changes and a Dynamic Cryptocurrency Landscape

Bithumb is one of South Korea's most popular bitcoin exchanges. It is part of the Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA) alongside Upbit, Coinone, Korbit, and Gopax.

It has declared aspirations to become the first cryptocurrency exchange registered on the South Korean stock market, though its initial public offering has been postponed. This Bitcoin meal box development comes on the heels of the much-anticipated halving event on April 20.

The cryptocurrency reached a new all-time high in March, approaching $74,000. Analysts believe the latest price drop is due to "boredom" among Bitcoin bulls following the halving. Bitcoin gained momentum after the United States approved the first Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on January 10.

On May 7, news came that South Korea's newly elected democratic party has promised to allow Bitcoin ETFs and that the party will make the request once the National Assembly convenes in June.

However, in recent years, South Korean regulators have started monitoring the cryptocurrency market more closely. In 2024, legislators proposed harsher penalties for crypto-related offenses and additional guidelines for cryptocurrency exchanges.

In late 2023, South Korean financial regulators began encouraging cryptocurrency users to report any unauthorized exchanges operating in the region.

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