Stablecoins are quietly moving into everyday payments—and South Korea is paying attention.
BC Card, one of the country’s largest payment processors, has completed a stablecoin payment pilot that allows foreign users to pay local merchants using digital dollars. The pilot was announced Tuesday and ran in partnership with Wavebridge, Aaron Group (wallet provider), and Global Money Express (cross-border remittance).
🚨🆕JUST IN: 🇰🇷South Korean payments giant BC Card now enables foreigners to pay local merchants using stablecoins, pic.twitter.com/Fn69emP5Nh
— Vince Crypto (@Vincebtc54999) December 24, 2025
Here’s how it worked:
Foreign users converted stablecoins held in overseas wallets into digital prepaid cards accepted across BC Card’s merchant network. No hype. No gimmicks. Just real-world payments.
And this wasn’t a one-off experiment.
BC Card made it clear this is part of a long-term strategy to build a stablecoin payment framework that aligns with evolving South Korean regulations.
Why This Matters
BC Card isn’t a small player. The company reportedly processes over 20% of South Korea’s card transactions, serving 3.4 million merchants nationwide. Its majority owner? KT Corp, one of the country’s three telecom giants.
That means stablecoins aren’t knocking on the door anymore—they’re already inside the building.
The Industry Is Shifting
According to Shehram Khattak, general counsel at Trust Wallet, banks and payment firms face a deeper challenge than most realize. Stablecoins don’t just add a new payment rail—they force legacy institutions to rethink operations, processes, and internal structures from the ground up.
That pressure is already showing.
In late July, South Korea’s credit card companies reportedly scrambled to respond to the perceived threat of stablecoins, forming a joint task force as regulators began discussing won-based stablecoins.
BC Card has even launched a dedicated internal team to track domestic and global stablecoin trends.
Regulation Is the Bottleneck
There’s just one problem: regulation is moving slower than expected.
Earlier this month, South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) failed to submit a draft stablecoin proposal by a deadline set by the ruling Democratic Party. The delay reportedly stems from disagreements with the Bank of Korea, which wants banks to own at least 51% of any stablecoin issuer seeking approval.
In other words, the tech is ready—but policy isn’t.
The Bigger Picture
Globally, stablecoins are gaining traction as a serious alternative to traditional payments:
- YouTube now allows U.S. creators to receive payouts in PYUSD
- Visa has launched USDC settlement services for select U.S. institutions
BC Card’s pilot shows South Korea doesn’t want to be left behind.
Bottom Line
Stablecoins are no longer just a crypto experiment. They’re becoming a real payment layer, especially for cross-border use cases.
BC Card’s move signals what’s coming next: traditional payment giants adapting early, while regulators race to catch up.
If regulation aligns, stablecoin payments in South Korea could move from pilot to mainstream faster than most expect.
