KB Kookmin Card Plans Stablecoin-Linked Credit Card Payments as Korea’s Digital Asset Rules Take Shape
KB Kookmin Card, part of South Korea’s largest financial group, is laying the groundwork for bringing stablecoins into mainstream payments through a newly filed patent for a hybrid card-and-wallet system.
According to a press release issued on Wednesday, the patent outlines a payment structure that connects a customer’s existing credit card to a blockchain-based digital wallet. Once a wallet address is registered, users could spend stablecoins held in that wallet directly through their regular credit card, without changing how they pay at checkout.
Under the proposed design, stablecoin balances would be used first when a transaction is made. If the wallet does not hold enough funds, the system would automatically charge the remaining amount to the linked credit card, creating a seamless split between onchain assets and traditional credit.
KB Kookmin Card said the approach is intended to reduce friction in digital asset payments by keeping familiar card infrastructure intact, including user experience, reward programs, and consumer protections. The company added that the technology could help stablecoins expand beyond specialized crypto platforms and play a larger role in everyday finance.
A KB Card executive described the patent as a technical foundation for safer and more accessible use of digital assets, noting that future implementation would depend on regulatory clarity and market conditions, with consumer protection as a priority.
The filing comes as South Korea continues to shape its regulatory stance on stablecoins. Under President Lee Jae Myung’s policy agenda, the forthcoming Digital Asset Basic Act is expected to support the creation of a won-pegged stablecoin ecosystem.
In June, KB Kookmin Bank was among the first institutions to apply for stablecoin-related trademarks after regulators and lawmakers signaled backing for a local stablecoin initiative. More recently, the Bank of Korea and the Financial Services Commission reportedly agreed that stablecoin issuance should be led by a consortium of licensed banks, a position that has drawn criticism from ruling-party lawmakers who argue it could limit innovation.
The Digital Asset Basic Act, South Korea’s second major legal framework for digital assets, is targeting finalization in the first quarter of this year, potentially setting the stage for banks and card companies to bring stablecoins closer to everyday payments.