South Korea · XLF
If you live in South Korea and want exposure to Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF), you no longer need a US brokerage account. Through tokenized stocks on GM Markets, investors in South Korea can buy XLF backed 1:1 by real shares, funded with stablecoins, from just $1. As of the latest update, XLF trades around $58.25 (about ₩86,123 at recent exchange rates). This guide covers how it works, what it costs, the risks to weigh, and what South Korea investors specifically should know.
About the fund
XLF is an exchange-traded fund that holds the financial companies within the S&P 500, including banks, insurers, and capital-markets firms, weighted by market value. It seeks to track the Financial Select Sector Index before fees rather than to outperform it.
The bull case
Investors point to XLF as a single-trade way to gain exposure to the US financial sector, spanning major banks and insurance companies rather than a single institution.
Key risks
As a sector fund, XLF is less diversified and more volatile than a broad-market ETF, it is concentrated in large banks and financial firms, and it is sensitive to credit conditions, interest rates, and the health of the financial system.
For South Korea investors
Korean investors have long bought US shares through domestic securities firms with overseas-trading desks or via international brokers, dealing with won conversion, custody fees, and reporting obligations along the way. Tokenized US stocks provide an alternative with direct 1:1 exposure to the real share, self-custodied and accessible from roughly $1.
Compare your options
How tokenized assets compare with the traditional routes a non-US investor would otherwise use.
| Route to XLF | Minimum | You fund with | Who holds it | From South Korea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokenized on GM Markets | From $1 | Stablecoins (USDC) | Your own wallet | Open to South Korea |
| Local stockbroker | Often a whole share | KRW | Broker holds | Limited US coverage |
| International broker | Often hundreds of USD | KRW converted to USD | Broker holds | Varies, may gate residents |
| ADR or local listing | Whole-share price | KRW | Broker holds | Only some US stocks |
Step by step
Create a wallet
GM Markets is non-custodial, so you connect a self-custody wallet and keep your own keys. There is no lengthy brokerage onboarding.
Fund with USDC
Add USDC to your wallet. GM Markets settles trades in stablecoins, so this becomes your buying power.
Find XLF
Search for Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) in the GM Markets terminal to see the live order book and chart.
Place your order
Buy from as little as $1 with a market or limit order. Your XLF token is backed 1:1 by a real share held at a regulated issuer.
Hold, trade, or redeem
Your position settles on-chain and is yours. Sell any time, or hold for exposure to XLF.
Funding
FAQ
Nearby
See the full Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund guide or trending stocks in South Korea.
Trading involves risk, including possible loss of principal. The value of tokenized assets and perpetual positions can fall as well as rise, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Perpetual futures are leveraged products and may not be suitable for every user.
GM Markets does not offer its product or services to users in the United States, or in any other restricted jurisdiction.
GM Markets does not provide financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. All investments carry risk including the loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.
