Hanwha Asset Management
Hanwha Asset Management is a Seoul-based subsidiary of Hanwha Group offering PE, credit, real estate, infrastructure, public, and ETF strategies, managing approximately 13 trillion won (US$8.8B) in ETF assets and expanding globally via NYSE listings and overseas AI and venture capabilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Hanwha Asset Management does
Hanwha Asset Management Co., Ltd. is a Seoul-headquartered, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hanwha Group, one of South Korea's largest diversified conglomerates (chaebol). Founded in 1988 and operating for over 40 years, the firm runs six core investment platforms—private equity, credit, real estate platform investment, infrastructure platform investment, public investment, and ETFs—with its flagship PLUS ETF sub-brand (launched July 2024) growing from approximately 3 trillion won to 11.2 trillion won in net worth by early 2026 and total ETF assets under management reaching approximately 13 trillion won (US$8.8 billion). The firm has set a public three-year target to manage approximately 100 trillion won in ETF AUM and serves both retail investors via exchange-listed ETFs and institutional investors (pension funds, sovereign wealth funds) via direct mandates and fund vehicles.
Revenue is generated primarily through recurring management fees on ETF AUM and on managed funds, including two flagship thematic vehicles—a $1 billion AI/Robotics/Defense fund co-managed with Krafton and a $500 million K-Culture fund with MarcyPen Capital Partners. Distribution is multi-channel: Korea Exchange (KRX) for domestic PLUS ETF products, NYSE Arca (via the Exchange Traded Concepts channel partner) for the PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF and PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF, and planned listings in London, Frankfurt, and Abu Dhabi. Customer segments include retail investors accessing sector-themed ETFs, institutional investors purchasing fund products, and a VC/startup ecosystem engaged via the Hanwha VC Connect event series and the firm's venture fund investments.
On the technology front, Hanwha established the Hanwha AI Center in San Francisco in December 2024—the first overseas AI center by a domestic Korean financial institution—and is investing in blockchain-based digital investment infrastructure and tokenization capabilities. An MoU with the Solana Foundation targets Solana-based exchange-traded products and digital asset custody guidelines, positioning the firm for an industry shift from product distribution to lifecycle-based partnership models. The firm's headquarters are at 63 Hanwha Financial Center, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, with regional offices in San Francisco, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.
Hanwha Asset Management firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hanwha Asset Management
- Legal name
- Hanwha Asset Management Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://eng.hanwhafund.co.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Hanwha Asset Management is a Seoul-based subsidiary of Hanwha Group offering PE, credit, real estate, infrastructure, public, and ETF strategies, managing approximately 13 trillion won (US$8.8B) in ETF assets and expanding globally via NYSE listings and overseas AI and venture capabilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hanwha Asset Management industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Asset Management
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Open-End Investment Funds (525910)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sector & Industry Equity ETFs (FSAAAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Real Assets — Operating Platforms & Direct Investments (FSAAAKAL)
Keywords
Where Hanwha Asset Management is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
Hanwha Asset Management business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- ETF Management Fees: Hanwha Asset Management generates revenue through management fees on its ETF products, including flagship brands like PLUS ETF which reached 11.2 trillion won in net worth as of March 2024. The company manages approximately 13 trillion won (US$8.8 billion) in ETF assets.
- Active ETF Management: Revenue from actively managed ETFs including the PLUS K-Defense Industry ETF which generated nearly eightfold returns since its 2023 launch. The company won Asia Asset Management's 2026 ETF Awards for Best Absolute Performing ETF and Best Dividend ETF.
- Venture Capital Investment Management: Hanwha manages venture capital funds including a $1 billion fund with Krafton focused on AI, robotics, and defense, and a $500 million K-culture fund with MarcyPen Capital Partners. Revenue generated through management fees on fund assets.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
Hanwha Asset Management product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hanwha Asset Management operates as a comprehensive asset management firm providing investment products and services across six core areas: Private Equity (PE) Investment, Credit Investment, Real Estate Platform Investment, Infrastructure Platform Investment, Public Investment, and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). Its flagship offering is the PLUS ETF sub-brand of actively managed, sector-focused ETFs covering Korean defense, semiconductors, AI, batteries, shipbuilding, nuclear energy, and robotics, alongside co-managed thematic funds such as a $1 billion AI/Robotics/Defense Fund with Krafton and a $500 million K-Culture Fund with MarcyPen Capital Partners.
Product overview
Hanwha Asset Management is a comprehensive asset management firm offering a diversified portfolio of investment products and services. The company operates across six core investment areas: Private Equity (PE) Investment, Credit Investment, Real Estate Platform Investment, Infrastructure Platform Investment, Public Investment, and ETFs. The flagship product line is the PLUS ETF sub-brand, which has grown to manage over 11.2 trillion won in net worth as of 2026. The PLUS line includes sector-specific ETFs such as the PLUS Global HBM Semiconductor ETF (focused on global memory semiconductors including HBM, DRAM, and NAND), the PLUS K-Defense Industry ETF (Korea defense sector, listed on NYSE), and the PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF (listed on NYSE Arca, covering AI semiconductors, batteries, shipbuilding, defense, nuclear energy, and robotics). The company also manages two major thematic funds: a $1 billion AI/Robotics/Defense Fund in partnership with Krafton, and a $500 million K-Culture Fund in partnership with MarcyPen Capital Partners. Hanwha has established a global presence with overseas offices and plans for international ETF expansion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PLUS ETF: Flagship ETF brand launched in July 2024, offering actively managed ETFs targeting Korean manufacturing, defense, AI, semiconductor, and energy sectors. The PLUS brand surpassed 11.2 trillion won in net worth as of March 2026.
Products and services
- PLUS ETF Flagship ETF sub-brand encompassing multiple actively managed, sector-focused exchange-traded funds targeting Korean manufacturing, defense, AI, semiconductors, and energy sectors. Net worth grew from approximately 3 trillion won at launch to 11.2 trillion won by early 2026.
- PLUS Global HBM Semiconductor ETF Actively managed ETF providing distributed investment across the global memory semiconductor value chain spanning HBM, DRAM, NAND, and memory equipment. Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron account for 75-80% of the portfolio. Recorded 676.67% three-year cumulative return.
- PLUS K-Defense Industry ETF Actively managed ETF focused on Korea's defense industry sector, generating nearly eightfold returns since its 2023 launch. Listed on NYSE in February 2025 as the PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF, marking Hanwha's first international ETF listing.
- PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF (KMCA) ETF listed on NYSE Arca providing exposure to South Korean companies in AI semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, shipbuilding, defense, power infrastructure, nuclear energy, and robotics sectors. Launched via Exchange Traded Concepts for U.S. market access.
- Hanwha-Krafton AI/Robotics/Defense Fund $1 billion investment fund jointly managed with Krafton, focused on AI, robotics, and defense technologies as part of the strategic alliance between Hanwha Aerospace and Krafton for physical AI development.
- MarcyPen Asia K-Culture Fund $500 million joint venture fund with MarcyPen Capital Partners (Jay-Z-backed), targeting global expansion of Korean cultural and lifestyle companies in beauty, food and beverage, fashion, media, and sports sectors.
- Private Equity Investment Private equity investment services offered as part of Hanwha Asset Management's comprehensive asset management offerings for institutional and qualified investors.
- Credit Investment Credit investment services offered as part of Hanwha Asset Management's comprehensive asset management offerings.
- Real Estate Platform Investment Real estate platform investment services as part of Hanwha Asset Management's comprehensive asset management offerings.
- Infrastructure Platform Investment Infrastructure platform investment services as part of Hanwha Asset Management's comprehensive asset management offerings.
- Public Investment Public investment services offered as part of Hanwha Asset Management's comprehensive asset management offerings, covering listed equities and fixed-income mandates.
Quantifiable outcome
- PLUS K-Defense Industry ETF generated nearly eightfold returns since its 2023 launch
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hanwha Asset Management
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hanwha Asset Management technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Hanwha Asset Management partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Exchange Traded ConceptscoreExchange Traded Concepts announced the U.S. launch of Hanwha Asset Management's PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF (KMCA), listed on NYSE Arca, providing exposure to South Korean companies in AI semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, shipbuilding, defense, and other sectors.
- KraftonflagshipHanwha Aerospace (affiliated entity) partnered with Krafton to jointly develop physical AI technologies including robots, establishing a joint venture combining Krafton's virtual-world simulation and AI capabilities with Hanwha's defense and manufacturing infrastructure. Krafton is participating as an investor in a $1 billion fund managed by Hanwha Asset Management focused on AI, robotics, and defense.
- Solana FoundationcoreHanwha Asset Management signed an MoU with the Solana Foundation to expand its digital asset ecosystem in Korea, including plans for Solana-based exchange-traded products and custody guidelines for Solana-linked assets. The partnership aims to position Hanwha as an early mover in Korea's evolving digital asset market.
- Liberty City VenturesminorHanwha Life (affiliated entity) signed an MoU with New York-based venture capital firm Liberty City Ventures to jointly invest in fintech companies. This partnership was part of Hanwha Finance's participation in the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos.
- MarcyPen Capital PartnersflagshipJay-Z's investment firm partnered with Hanwha Asset Management to create a $500 million joint venture fund to support the global expansion of Korean cultural and lifestyle companies including beauty, food and beverage, fashion, media, and sports. The partnership was announced during Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025 and aims to leverage South Korea's influence in entertainment, beauty, food, and lifestyle sectors.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hanwha Asset Management competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BlackRock: Global ETF leader via iShares and a major multi-asset asset manager. Comparable as the dominant incumbent in the international ETF distribution channels Hanwha is targeting (NYSE Arca, London, Frankfurt).
- Invesco: Global investment manager with a sizable ETF platform (Invesco QQQ) and active thematic franchises. Comparable as a peer operating thematic ETFs with global listings and chasing the same fee pools.
- State Street Global Advisors: Operator of the SPDR ETF franchise and a major institutional asset manager. Comparable to Hanwha on the institutional ETF and indexing side of the business.
- Vanguard: Global low-cost ETF and mutual fund giant. Relevant as the structural driver of fee compression across the ETF industry and a benchmark competitor for international ETF distribution.
Direct peers
- NH Investment & Securities (asset management arm): Korean financial group affiliate with an active asset management business across equities, fixed income, and alternatives. Direct domestic competitor to Hanwha for institutional mandates and ETF shelf space.
- Mirae Asset Global Investments: Korea's largest asset manager and a direct competitor across ETFs, mutual funds, and alternative investments, including actively managed ETFs with global distribution. Highly comparable given shared domestic ETF franchise, venture investment activity, and overseas expansion ambitions.
- Samsung Asset Management: Another Korean chaebol-affiliated asset manager that is also among the eight firms impacted by the FSS leveraged ETF rules and is a direct competitor in actively managed sector ETFs and overseas market expansion. Closely comparable in product mix, regulatory exposure, and group-affiliation dynamics.
- KB Asset Management: Major Korean asset manager under KB Financial Group, operating across ETFs, mandates, and alternatives. Direct competitor on Korean equity and sector ETF shelves and on institutional mandates.
- Shinhan Investment Management: Asset management arm of Shinhan Financial Group offering ETFs and diversified funds in Korea. Comparable as a domestic peer competing for institutional and retail ETF AUM.
Emerging players
- Franklin Templeton: Co-investor alongside Hanwha in Forterra's Series C and a global asset manager pushing into digital asset and tokenized products; relevant comparable for Hanwha's tokenization and digital-asset ambitions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hanwha Asset Management social profiles
Digital presenceHanwha Asset Management financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hanwha Asset Management leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Hanwha Asset Management subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Hanwha Asset Management funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hanwha Asset Management M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments33 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hanwha Asset Management
What does Hanwha Asset Management do?
Hanwha Asset Management operates as a comprehensive asset management firm providing investment products and services across six core areas: Private Equity (PE) Investment, Credit Investment, Real Estate Platform Investment, Infrastructure Platform Investment, Public Investment, and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). Its flagship offering is the PLUS ETF sub-brand of actively managed, sector-focused ETFs covering Korean defense, semiconductors, AI, batteries, shipbuilding, nuclear energy, and robotics, alongside co-managed thematic funds such as a $1 billion AI/Robotics/Defense Fund with Krafton and a $500 million K-Culture Fund with MarcyPen Capital Partners.
Is Hanwha Asset Management a public or private company?
Hanwha Asset Management is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hanwha Asset Management founded?
Hanwha Asset Management was founded in 1988. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Hanwha Asset Management based?
Hanwha Asset Management is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Hanwha Asset Management make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. ETF Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are active ETF Management and venture Capital Investment Management.
Who are Hanwha Asset Management's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BlackRock, Invesco, State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard. Direct peers are NH Investment & Securities (asset management arm), Mirae Asset Global Investments, Samsung Asset Management, KB Asset Management and Shinhan Investment Management. Franklin Templeton is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hanwha Asset Management have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hanwha Asset Management.
What industry is Hanwha Asset Management in?
Hanwha Asset Management's product category is Asset Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAAFAC, Sector & Industry Equity ETFs, with a secondary code of FSAAAKAL, Real Assets — Operating Platforms & Direct Investments. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.