KB Kookmin Card, a subsidiary of South Korea's KB Financial Group, has filed a patent for a hybrid payment system designed to integrate stablecoins directly with traditional credit cards. The patent outlines a method where users can link a blockchain wallet to their existing credit card account, enabling payments to be settled first with stablecoins from the wallet, with any shortfall automatically charged to the card balance.
The system is engineered to maintain the familiar front-end experience for consumers and merchants, as transactions would still be processed through established card networks like Visa or Mastercard. This approach preserves key features such as card rewards, fraud protection, and chargeback rights. A company executive stated the patent provides a technical foundation for safer and simpler digital asset use, though any commercial rollout is contingent on regulatory approval and market conditions.
This development occurs against the backdrop of South Korea's impending regulatory framework. Lawmakers are working to finalize the Digital Asset Basic Act in Q1 2026, which is expected to support a won-pegged stablecoin market. KB Kookmin Bank had previously applied for stablecoin-related trademarks in June 2025, following signs of regulatory support for a consortium model where licensed banks could issue stablecoins.
The move signals a strategic push by incumbent financial institutions to bring cryptocurrency into daily spending without disrupting user habits. Unlike earlier crypto card models that relied on third-party real-time asset conversion, KB's proposed system keeps the payment logic within the card infrastructure, potentially offering more control and a smoother user experience.
