South Korea’s BC Card Completes Stablecoin Payments Pilot for Foreign Users

Highlights:

• South Korea’s BC Card tested foreign stablecoin use with QR codes at local stores.
• The stablecoins are converted into digital prepaid cards for seamless merchant payments.
• The pilot aims to build a Korean-style stablecoin infrastructure in response to future regulation.

South Korea-based BC Card announced on Tuesday that it had completed a pilot to test stablecoin payments by foreigners to local merchants. The company collaborated with Waybridge, Aaron Group, and Global Money Express. They jointly evaluated the possibility of domestic purchases being made using stablecoins in overseas wallets.

The trial started in October and lasted almost two months. Foreign users converted their stablecoins into digital prepaid cards. These cards then facilitated QR-based payment in cafes, supermarkets, and convenience stores in South Korea. Users did not have to exchange money or use physical cards.

The prepaid cards were connected with foreign online wallets that collaborated with BC Card. This setup facilitated the seamless integration of local merchants’ payment systems. The target was to merge the speed of blockchain payments and the reliability of card infrastructure.

Combining Global Stablecoins with Domestic Card Systems

The primary concern of BC Card was testing stability and convenience during real-time payment conditions. Domestic card systems require such features as instant approvals, cancellations, and corrections. Stablecoins, although efficient in cross-border transactions, often do not have those domestic features.

To address that, BC Card integrated stablecoin transactions into its card settlement system. With prepaid cards, the procedure resembled the traditional card payments. Merchants and users worked with each other just like any other purchase.

This pilot assists in setting the stage for a “Korean-style stablecoin payment infrastructure.” South Korea’s BC Card views it as a step toward the development of future regulations. Furthermore, they are collaborating with other appropriate organizations to make their model compatible with future domestic laws.

South Korean regulators have been discussing won-based stablecoins. Still, there have been delays in legislation because of disagreements between the FSC and the Bank of Korea. Still, credit card companies are gearing up to integrate stablecoins. BC Card also established a dedicated internal team to keep an eye on the market.

Laying the Groundwork for Broader Stablecoin Use

BC Card’s pilot demonstrates the use of stablecoins to meet real-world payments by foreign users. The model did away with complicated processes such as the exchange of currencies. Rather, it allows foreign digital wallets to make direct purchases at local stores via QR. CEO Choi Won-seok pointed out the advantages of the pilot

He said:

BC Card handles more than 20% of the card transactions in the country. The company plans to expand its collaboration with fintech and virtual asset companies backed by telecom giant KT Corp. Their strategy further entails patenting technologies that assist in real-time computing and stablecoin-to-fiat exchange rates.

Globally, the use of stablecoins is on the rise. For instance, YouTube recently added PayPal USD payouts to US creators. In this shifting environment, BC Card would like to pioneer the use of stablecoins in the region and facilitate a thriving market.