BC Card Completes Pilot for Foreigners to Pay South Korean Merchants with Stablecoins

• BC Card tested stablecoin payments for foreigners at local South Korean stores using digital prepaid cards.

• The pilot showed stablecoins can work with existing card systems and support real time transactions.

• Regulatory delays continue but BC Card is preparing for future stablecoin adoption in the country.

South Korean payment company BC Card has completed a pilot allowing foreign users to pay local merchants with stablecoins. The project tested whether overseas digital wallets could work seamlessly in South Korea’s domestic payment network.

✦ South Korean payments leader BC Card successfully tests stablecoin transactions for international customers:

BC Card, a prominent South Korean payment processor, has wrapped up a pilot program that allows foreign customers to make payments to local merchants using…

— ZoneCrypto (@ZoneCrypto) December 24, 2025

The trial focused on convenience, speed, and integration with existing merchant systems. It reflects growing interest in digital assets for cross-border transactions.

Pilot tests foreign consumer payments

BC Card collaborated with Wavebridge, Aaron Group, and Global Money Express for the pilot. Foreign users held stablecoins in wallets connected to BC Card. They converted these assets into digital prepaid cards before making purchases.

Shoppers used QR codes at cafes, supermarkets, and convenience stores. No currency exchange or physical cards were required. Payments followed familiar card transaction flows. Merchants processed the payments through standard systems without extra equipment.

The pilot examined stability under real conditions. It tested approval times, cancellations, and transaction corrections. Domestic card systems require instant processing, so BC Card focused on these aspects. The company views this as groundwork for a localized stablecoin payment system.

Integrating blockchain with card systems

Stablecoins allow fast cross-border transfers. Yet they often lack features needed for local retail payments. Refunds, cancellations, and real-time processing are commonly missing.

BC Card embedded stablecoin payments into its card settlement system. Transactions mirrored regular card usage. Merchants and users interacted as usual. This method tested blockchain integration without disrupting existing infrastructure.

The prepaid card approach allowed direct spending from foreign wallets. It maintained speed, reliability, and convenience. The company treated the project as part of long-term planning rather than a temporary experiment.

Regulatory environment slows adoption

South Korean regulators continue to debate stablecoin oversight. Discussions include potential won-based stablecoins. The Financial Services Commission and the Bank of Korea disagree on rules.

The central bank wants banks to control at least 51% of stablecoin issuers. Other regulators favor a more open ecosystem. Delays have slowed the submission of draft legislation.

Credit card companies are preparing for change. Industry groups formed task forces to respond to stablecoins. BC Card created an internal team to monitor local and global trends. The pilot demonstrates practical applications despite regulatory uncertainty. South Korea recently announced plans to wrap up stablecoin rules in January as lawmakers agree on a bank-led consortium model for issuance.

Global trends influence local strategies

Stablecoins are gaining traction globally. Platforms such as YouTube and Visa have expanded stablecoin use for payments. Visa launched a pilot program that allows businesses to send payouts directly to stablecoin wallets. These developments inform South Korean strategies.

BC Card handles over 20% of card transactions in South Korea. It covers 3.4 million merchants and is owned by KT Corp. The company plans further collaborations with fintech and digital asset firms. It also works on real-time settlement and stablecoin-to-fiat conversions.

The pilot shows that stablecoins can simplify foreign payments while preserving local payment reliability. It positions BC Card as an early mover in adapting traditional systems to digital assets.