South Korea's KB Kookmin Card has partnered with Japan's SBI Holdings and two cybersecurity companies to test AI agent identity verification and cross-border stablecoin payments. The October 13 agreement includes Everspin and SBI Everspin, a joint venture between the Japanese financial group and the South Korean security firm.
The four companies aim to develop secure systems that allow AI agents to conduct authorized financial transactions. Their plans also include exploring stablecoin payments for Japanese tourists shopping at South Korean merchants.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the partners will examine payment processing, transaction approvals, settlements, refunds, and fraud prevention. However, they have not announced a commercial launch date or identified supported stablecoins.
KB Kookmin Card Explores AI Payments Through KB Pay
The partnership centers on KYA Trust Gateway, an identity verification platform developed by SBI Everspin with Everspin. The technology checks whether AI agents have permission to act on behalf of individual users.
Unlike standard authentication systems, the platform examines an agent's identity, authorized services, and transaction limits. These checks aim to prevent automated systems from performing financial activities beyond their approved permissions.
Initially, the companies will test whether AI agents operating in Japan can securely access South Korean financial services. They will then examine delegated authority and transaction restrictions.
KB Kookmin Card also plans to assess whether its KB Pay platform can support automated purchases. This process will involve customer approval procedures, spending limits, and access controls.
Meanwhile, Everspin will contribute cybersecurity expertise gained from protecting financial institutions. The company reports approximately 25 billion cumulative threat detections across more than 150 financial institutions worldwide.
Everspin also reported detecting attempts involving an AI-based attack method called ARTEX in financial service environments.
SBI Expands Stablecoin Payment Tests Between Japan and Korea
The agreement follows another cross-border payment initiative involving SBI Group. On October 1, SBI DigiTrust announced a stablecoin verification project with NICE Information & Telecommunication and blockchain infrastructure provider DSRV.
That project will test QR code payments for Japanese tourists visiting South Korea. The companies will examine fund transfers, merchant settlements, and connections between financial systems.
NICE brings payment infrastructure serving approximately 1.2 million South Korean merchants. Meanwhile, DSRV provides blockchain expertise, while SBI DigiTrust addresses Japanese financial and regulatory requirements.
The partners expect to complete testing by December 2026. However, they have not confirmed commercial deployment.
The two initiatives raise one central question: Can AI identity checks and stablecoin infrastructure support secure cross-border payments within existing financial regulations?
Separately, SBI Ripple Asia began researching blockchain-based remittances and settlements with DSRV in February. That project examines financial connections between Japan and South Korea.
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KB Kookmin Card Advances Hybrid Stablecoin Card Plans
KB Kookmin Card has also explored connecting stablecoin wallets with conventional credit card services. In March, the company outlined a hybrid payment system involving Avalanche and OpenAsset.
The proposed model would allow customers to fund purchases through digital assets before accessing traditional credit facilities. Its design would retain existing card payment processes. The initiative followed a January patent filing covering the proposed structure.
Meanwhile, SBI Holdings expanded its stablecoin operations through JPYSC, a yen-denominated stablecoin developed with Startale Group and issued by SBI Shinsei Trust Bank.
In October, SBI Securities and its partners also completed two phases of Project Trinity, which examines stablecoin settlement for tokenized securities. For the latest partnership, the companies have not disclosed testing costs, completion dates, or commercialization schedules. Future assessments may also extend beyond financial services.
Conclusion
KB Kookmin Card and SBI Holdings are exploring AI agent verification and stablecoin payments between Japan and South Korea. Their partnership combines digital identity checks, payment security, and cross-border settlement research. The companies will assess commercial opportunities after technical testing, although no launch timeline has emerged.