Bank of Korea Explores Public Blockchain Integration for Deposit Tokens

The Bank of Korea is advancing plans to bridge central bank deposit tokens with public blockchain networks, signaling a strategic embrace of distributed ledger technology. Deputy Governor Lee Jong-ryeol framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to cultivate a secure digital currency ecosystem during remarks at the Blockchain Leaders Club event.

State-issued deposit tokens will function as a sovereign stablecoin variant within the BOK’s digital currency framework. "We’re evaluating technical linkages between our systems and public chains," Lee stated, emphasizing the project’s focus on monetary stability and cross-border payment efficiency.

The development marks another institutional nod toward blockchain interoperability, though technical implementation timelines remain unspecified. Market observers anticipate such moves could accelerate institutional crypto adoption throughout East Asian markets.