KB Kookmin and SBI Tested Stablecoin Payment Pilots
The firms are piloting AI identity verification and blockchain-based cross-border payments for tourists.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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KB Kookmin Card and SBI Holdings have begun testing artificial intelligence for user identification alongside stablecoin-based cross-border payments. These initiatives aim to improve the efficiency of international transactions for tourists.
Why it matters
The pilot projects seek to determine whether blockchain-based settlement can replace traditional card networks to lower fees. Integrating AI for onboarding is designed to scale the identity verification process for foreign users.
The current trial of stablecoin-based QR code payments spans 1.2 million merchants linked via NICE Information & Telecommunication. This architecture is designed to bypass conventional currency conversion and card processing networks.
The players
KB Kookmin Card
A South Korean financial services provider specializing in credit and payment processing.
SBI Holdings
A Japanese financial services company focused on investment, banking, and digital asset infrastructure.
SBI DigiTrust
A subsidiary of SBI Holdings developing blockchain-based payment and trust services.
SY Polaris
A strategic partner collaborating with KB Kookmin Card on payment technology integration.
DSRV
A blockchain infrastructure company partnering with SBI DigiTrust for payment trials.
The details
The payment system uses stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to the value of a fiat currency—to facilitate direct settlement. AI-powered identity verification automates the process of onboarding new users, which traditionally requires manual document review. These systems work in tandem to reduce the operational costs associated with cross-border tourist transactions.
Timeline
KB Kookmin Card joined the Mastercard Crypto Partner Program in September 2026.
KB Kookmin Card signed a memorandum of understanding with SY Polaris on September 29, 2026.
KB Kookmin Card completed a stablecoin payment pilot at CU convenience stores by late September 2026.
SBI DigiTrust began testing stablecoin-based QR code payments between late September and early October 2026.
The Tech Race
The initiative follows the operational framework established by the Mastercard Crypto Partner Program to integrate blockchain assets into retail environments. This pilot represents a shift toward proprietary cross-border settlement layers that compete with incumbent credit card rails.
Tourists traveling between Japan and South Korea may eventually gain access to faster, lower-fee payment options at participating merchants. These systems are currently in the testing phase and are not yet available for general public use.
The takeaway
The move signals a significant effort to reduce the friction of international retail payments through stablecoin settlement. Observers should track upcoming results from the SBI DigiTrust merchant trial to gauge whether this model achieves sufficient scale to replace legacy currency conversion fees.
Further reading
For more on the development of intelligent verification and financial systems, visit Artificial Intelligence.
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