Bridging the Old and New: How Shawn Kim and BetweenBits Are Powering Bitcoin Adoption in Asia
For most people, Bitcoin is an investment buzzword. For Shawn Kim, it’s the foundation of a new, borderless financial era.
As the founder and CEO of BetweenBits, a South Korea–based fintech startup focused on the Bitcoin Lightning Network, Shawn is leading efforts to make digital currency faster, more accessible, and more human-centered. In his conversation with Industry Ignited host Dr. Leanne Aguilar, he shares how Bitcoin can transform the global financial system—especially for the world’s 1.7 billion unbanked people—and why Southeast Asia may be the first region to see it happen.
From Trade to Technology to Bitcoin
Shawn’s career spans international trade, IT, travel, and real estate—a blend that shaped his broad worldview and entrepreneurial drive.
He began in a trading company, then moved into Korea’s early home network sector. Although that market didn’t fully mature at the time, it planted the seeds for today’s IoT revolution. Later, he ventured into community-based travel, emphasizing cultural exchange over mass tourism.
But it was Bitcoin that captured his full attention.
“Bitcoin wasn’t just a new kind of money,” Shawn explains. “It created digital scarcity—a concept that never existed before. It protects the freedom and diversity of individuals.”
That realization led him to complete a blockchain strategy program at Oxford and ultimately launch BetweenBits in 2023, dedicated to accelerating Bitcoin adoption through the Lightning Network.
Why the Lightning Network Matters
To understand BetweenBits, you first need to understand Bitcoin’s evolution.
Bitcoin revolutionized money by making trust possible without central authority, but its transaction speeds and fees limited mainstream use. The Lightning Network, a “Layer 2” protocol built on top of Bitcoin, solves that problem by enabling instant, low-cost payments without compromising security.
“Lightning is what makes Bitcoin practical,” Shawn says. “It brings Bitcoin’s trustworthiness into the real world—fast, scalable, and usable for everyday payments.”
This innovation has huge implications for cross-border remittances, microtransactions, and financial inclusion—areas where legacy systems remain slow and expensive.
Banking the Unbanked
Globally, 1.7 billion people lack access to formal banking. Yet, astonishingly, 1 billion of them already own smartphones. That combination—no bank, but a mobile connection—is exactly what makes Southeast Asia ripe for Bitcoin adoption.
“Bitcoin needs nothing but the internet and a phone,” Shawn says.
For that reason, BetweenBits is focusing its early expansion on Vietnam and Singapore, leveraging open regulatory environments and high smartphone penetration to introduce Bitcoin-based financial tools.
Merging Bitcoin with Traditional Finance
BetweenBits isn’t trying to replace banks—it’s building bridges.
“Our goal is to integrate Bitcoin’s efficiency into traditional financial infrastructure,” Shawn explains. “That means helping banks and fintechs offer faster, cheaper transactions using Bitcoin and the Lightning Network.”
Their platform supports everything from value storage to remittance services, working alongside financial institutions to ensure compliance with regulations like KYC and anti–money laundering (AML) requirements.
This hybrid approach makes adoption safer and smoother—especially for governments and enterprises looking to modernize without losing control.
Stablecoins and the Future of Money
Another major innovation is stablecoin transactions on the Bitcoin Lightning Network—a world first.
Shawn believes the rise of stablecoins, particularly dollar-backed digital currencies, will reshape global finance. “Right now, stablecoins mostly live on Ethereum or Tron,” he notes. “But Lightning offers stronger security, real-time payments, and near-zero fees. It’s simply more efficient.”
By merging stablecoins’ global demand with Lightning’s scalability, BetweenBits is building a platform where dollar-based stablecoins can move freely, instantly, and securely—without banks or middlemen.
A New Role for Southeast Asia
BetweenBits’ decision to expand into Singapore and Vietnam isn’t random—it’s strategic.
In countries where local currencies are weaker, stablecoins offer a way to store value securely. Governments in the region are also increasingly open to blockchain innovation. In Vietnam, new regulatory sandboxes allow startups to test solutions in partnership with banks under government oversight.
“It’s a win-win,” says Shawn. “Startups can innovate responsibly, and governments can guide progress instead of banning it.”
The Road Ahead: Collaboration Over Competition
For Shawn, the path forward isn’t about disrupting traditional finance—it’s about collaborating with it.
“Banks bring regulation and trust,” he says. “We bring the technology. Together, we can create faster, more inclusive payment systems.”
He envisions a near future where Bitcoin, stablecoins, and fiat currencies coexist—each serving a role in a more interconnected world.
“Bitcoin adoption isn’t a question of if—it’s a question of when,” Shawn emphasizes. “Energy efficiency always wins. And Bitcoin is the most energy-efficient money ever created.”
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Despite the challenges of regulation, competition, and public skepticism, Shawn remains optimistic.
“Every startup faces setbacks,” he says. “But Bitcoin represents a wave of change that gives meaning to our work. To anyone building in this space—don’t lose heart. The journey will be worth it.”
Final Thought
As Shawn Kim and BetweenBits bridge Bitcoin with the world’s financial systems, they’re not just building technology—they’re reshaping global access to money.
Faster. Fairer. Borderless.
And for billions without access to banks, that could change everything.
Listen to the full episode.
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