South Korea’s BC Card Just Pulled Off a Stablecoin Payment Pilot for Foreign Tourists

Forget currency exchange booths. BC Card just gave foreign tourists a glimpse of a frictionless future—and it runs on stablecoins.

The Pilot That Bypasses Traditional Finance

The South Korean payment giant completed a real-world test, letting international visitors pay with digital assets pegged to flat currencies. No more hunting for physical won or dealing with lousy exchange rates at the airport. The pilot targeted one of travel's biggest pain points, proving stablecoins can seamlessly slot into existing card infrastructure.

Why This Isn't Just Another Test

This move does more than just add a payment option. It directly challenges the slow, costly correspondent banking network that has long dominated cross-border transactions. By leveraging blockchain, BC Card's system promises near-instant settlement and slashes the hidden fees that traditional finance loves to bake in—a classic case of innovation cutting out the middlemen who've been taking a cut for decades.

The Ripple Effect for Crypto Adoption

Successful real-world use cases like this are the bedrock of mainstream adoption. When a major financial player integrates crypto for a practical, everyday need, it shifts the narrative from speculative asset to utility tool. It's a quiet but powerful signal to regulators and traditional banks that the infrastructure is ready, and consumer demand is next.

A cynical take? The old-guard banks are probably watching this pilot the way taxi companies watched Uber's launch—with a mix of denial and dread, all while their legacy systems creak under the weight of their own complexity. BC Card isn't just testing a payment method; it's testing the obsolescence of an entire financial model.

— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) December 23, 2025

Under the program, visitors to South Korea were able tovia BC Card’s existing payment infrastructure. The prepaid card could then be used for in-store payments across the country.

Payments were accepted seamlessly at approximately, covering a wide range of sectors including retail, dining, and service industries.

The initiative was designed to, with a particular focus on improving convenience for international travelers.

Leveraging Existing Infrastructure for Flexible Payments

BC Card processesand is a subsidiary of telecommunications giant.

The pilot was conducted in partnership with blockchain firm, wallet provider, and international remittance company.

A key feature of the project is that. Payments were processed through existing terminals and channels, with merchants receiving settlements in, shielding them from cryptocurrency price volatility.

For foreign tourists, the service offers a compelling alternative to traditional currency exchange. Using stablecoins helps reduce, minimize, and improve.

From a financial inclusion perspective, the project also enhances bothfor international visitors.

Due to current regulations in South Korea, the service is, as some crypto-based payment services remain restricted for domestic users.

Regulatory Debate and Future Outlook

The pilot was carried out amid ongoing discussions over.

Thehas reportedly advocated for rules requiring banks to hold a majority stake in stablecoin issuers, while theis exploring more flexible regulatory frameworks.

Against this backdrop, BC Card views the pilot as a.

The company has established a dedicated internal team to monitor stablecoin market trends and address risks such asand, while developing and operating the system.

The results of the pilot demonstrate that, reinforcing confidence in the underlying blockchain technology.

BC Card emphasized that the project is not merely a short-term test, but ain the future.

Full-scale adoption will depend on further coordination with regulators, deeper collaboration with partners, and the development of.

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