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DEEP RESEARCH · KAKAO

Entering Kakao: Stablecoins, AI Agents, and Data-Center Tasks Together

A research-entry memo on Kakao’s payments, AI, and infrastructure issues that may connect with new-government priorities

Published: 2025-06-13 · Stock-entry and research memo · Naver Blog

Investment decisions are your own responsibility. This material is research and is not a recommendation to buy or sell.

0. Bottom line first

This is not a buy or sell recommendation. After reducing weights in other positions today, I am starting research on Kakao because it may have a lot to do under the current government’s major policy agenda.

The starting point is the teacher’s YouTube video and the reference bundle below. The original post is less a finished conclusion and more a research memo collecting topics worth revisiting around Kakao.

1. Why revisit Kakao now?

Interpretation: The key point I see is that payments/stablecoins, AI agents, and data-center infrastructure are all becoming policy and industry issues at the same time. Kakao can be examined through Kakao Pay, KakaoTalk-based services, AI collaboration, and data-center investment together.

Stablecoin

Kakao Pay expectations

The references include Kakao Pay’s 50% surge, Korean-won stablecoin beneficiary expectations, and possible issuance.

AI Agent

OpenAI collaboration

Based on the KBS headline, Kakao discussed launching an AI agent with OpenAI within the year.

Infra

Namyangju AI hub

Yonhap, Asia Economy, and Newsis links cover Kakao’s second data center, KRW 600bn investment, and 2029 completion issue.

Governance

Governance and returns

I also check corporate-governance reports, financial statements, cash flow, dividends, and shareholder-return policy links.

2. Research frame

Kakao research-entry frameObservation axes from the source references
PaymentsKakao Pay and KRW stablecoins
AIOpenAI collaboration and AI agents
InfrastructureNamyangju second data center
Capital policyFinancials, cash flow, shareholder returns
Do not stop at policy expectations; check whether they convert into services, investment, earnings, and shareholder value.

Official fact: Based on the reference titles, Kakao’s Namyangju second data-center investment is presented as KRW 600bn, and the Asia Economy title mentions completion in 2029.

Official fact: Based on Kakao’s official link title, 2022 consolidated revenue was KRW 7.1071tn and operating profit was KRW 580.5bn. The Business Post title mentions a shareholder-return policy using up to 35% of free cash flow for dividends and treasury-share purchase/cancellation.

3. Questions to verify

AxisWhat to checkRelated references
StablecoinsWhether Kakao Pay expectations turn into actual regulation and businessChosun, Korea Economic Daily, Naver Blog, Naver Premium Contents
AI agentsWhether OpenAI collaboration leads to service launches and usageKBS, ZDNet Korea, AI-agent development-tool materials
Data centersWhether KRW 600bn investment and the 2029 schedule create AI-infrastructure competitivenessYonhap, Asia Economy, Newsis
Financials/governanceWhether cash flow, dividends, shareholder returns, and governance improveKakao IR, KRX KIND, DART, FnGuide, WiseReport

4. My execution memo

  • This post records the start of an entry and research process; it is not a buy or sell recommendation.
  • Do not rely only on policy themes. Check whether stablecoins, AI, and data centers convert into real numbers and services.
  • Short-term price reactions such as Kakao Pay’s surge are only evidence of expectations; regulation and execution need separate verification.
  • I check shareholder returns and governance together because the theme needs to connect to earnings and shareholder value.

Sources

Naver original