TLDR
Hana Card introduces USDC-based payment solutions for international tourists visiting South Korea.
Foreign travelers can load prepaid cards with digital currencies for everyday transactions.
Crypto.com card users receive 5% rewards in CRO tokens for their purchases.
Program evaluates how digital currencies work within existing payment infrastructure.
Hana positions itself for future Korean won-backed digital currencies as regulations develop.
South Korea’s Hana Financial Group has introduced a digital currency payment system designed specifically for international tourists. The innovative program enables visitors to make purchases at Korean retailers using dollar-backed digital currencies. This initiative represents a significant step toward merging cryptocurrency technology with Korea’s established payment infrastructure.
Hana Card, the financial group’s credit card subsidiary, spearheads this project in collaboration with prominent cryptocurrency companies Circle and Crypto.com. International travelers can load their prepaid cards with stablecoins and use them at merchants throughout the country. The program serves as a practical testing ground for digital currency functionality within regulated payment environments.
The strategic initiative from Hana Financial Group seeks to broaden digital currency acceptance among tourists while collecting valuable consumer usage data. Promotional incentives have been included to drive early adoption. These components allow Hana to assess whether digital currencies can function effectively as widespread payment instruments.
Circle’s USDC Powers Tourist Payment Infrastructure
USDC, Circle’s dollar-pegged digital currency, serves as the primary payment vehicle for this program. Each USDC token maintains parity with one U.S. dollar, providing transaction stability. Tourists holding USDC can complete purchases at participating retailers throughout South Korea.
The pilot program from Hana Card examines how digital currencies function alongside traditional card systems and point-of-sale terminals. This partnership stems from a strategic alliance between Hana and Circle established in December 2025. The partnership focuses on expanding USDC applications across payments, settlements, and international money transfers in Korea.
This USDC-focused project also prepares Hana Financial Group for emerging regulatory structures. South Korea is crafting the Digital Asset Basic Act, legislation that will establish guidelines for digital currency issuance and user safeguards. Hana’s experimental program connects digital currencies with institutional banking and national payment systems before official regulations take effect.
Crypto.com Partnership Delivers Token Rewards to Visitors
The program incorporates Crypto.com’s prepaid Visa cards as another payment option funded by digital currencies. International visitors using these cards earn 5 percent rewards in CRO, the platform’s native cryptocurrency. This incentive structure promotes adoption while familiarizing tourists with crypto-based payment solutions in South Korea.
Hana Card processes roughly half of all foreign card payments in the country, providing substantial scale for testing purposes. This market position enables comprehensive monitoring of spending patterns and user engagement with digital currency payments. The program also deepens relationships with global cryptocurrency platforms.
These collaborative initiatives align with Hana Financial Group’s comprehensive approach to preparing for digital currency-powered commerce. Future plans encompass investigating Korean won-backed digital currencies through partnerships with domestic financial institutions. By implementing USDC and Crypto.com card systems, Hana establishes critical infrastructure for digital currency integration in Korea’s supervised financial landscape.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
