Dunamu, the operator of South Korea's leading crypto exchange Upbit, has partnered with the Optimism Foundation to develop the GIWA Chain, an Ethereum layer 2 blockchain. Utilizing the OP Stack, GIWA Chain aims to enhance web3 usability and accessibility, offering one-second block times and EVM compatibility. The chain, which has processed nearly 100 million transactions on testnet, is set to launch on mainnet soon. Under a non-binding memorandum of understanding, GIWA Chain will be the first deployment on the Self-Managed tier of Optimism's OP Enterprise framework. This allows Upbit to maintain control over the primary sequencer and core network decisions, while Optimism provides support and a backup sequencer. Dunamu COO Minseok Jung emphasized the strategic importance of this move for Upbit, aiming to deliver high performance and compliance for its users. The partnership reflects a growing trend among major exchanges to own their blockchain infrastructure.