South Korean crypto exchange Coinone has denied reports of takeover talks with Coinbase, following speculation that the U.S. exchange was interested in acquiring Coinone. A Coinone spokesperson stated that no meeting with Coinbase is planned, countering claims that discussions were set after CEO Cha Myung-hoon expressed willingness to sell his 54% stake. Coinone confirmed Cha's return as CEO, five months after stepping down, and is exploring strategic investments and collaborations, though no decisions have been made. The South Korean crypto market faces challenges as investor interest shifts towards stocks, with Coinone's trading volumes lagging behind competitors like Upbit and Bithumb. Despite a decline in active users and app downloads for major exchanges, Coinone remains optimistic about future business opportunities, citing increased interest in the crypto industry.