Upbit Parent Dunamu and Visa Target Stablecoin Payments

Dunamu, operator of South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit (@Official_Upbit), has partnered with global payments provider Visa to develop financial and payment services using stablecoins and artificial intelligence. The two companies unveiled a roadmap for the partnership at Visa's Global Market Support Center in San Francisco.

Stablecoins, Remittances, and AI Agents

Dunamu's digital asset technology will be combined with Visa's global payments network to explore stablecoin-based payment and remittance services in major markets. The companies are also exploring business models based on OUSD, an open-standard stablecoin, as well as new user experiences in payments and settlement. A key area of interest is the use of AI agents to handle everyday shopping and payment tasks, with both parties aiming to bring digital assets into closer alignment with traditional payment rails.

The partnership will be developed in stages, with a focus on stability, transparency, interoperability, and regulatory compliance. The phased approach reflects a broader push across South Korea's financial industry to build credible, regulated digital asset infrastructure.

Dunamu's Broader Stablecoin Push

"AI, stablecoins, and tokenization are key trends that will reshape how finance and commerce operate," said Dunamu CEO Oh Kyung-seok. "Through our partnership with Visa, we will connect digital assets with traditional finance and create new global financial experiences for users."

The Visa deal is not Dunamu's only recent push into digital finance. South Korea's Hana Bank acquired a 6.55% stake in Dunamu for roughly 1 trillion won ($670 million), a deal that came as South Korea advances a Digital Asset Basic Act and tighter security rules for crypto exchanges. Following the acquisition, Hana and Dunamu confirmed plans to collaborate on digital asset initiatives including won-pegged stablecoins, blockchain remittances, tokenized securities, and asset management.

Visa itself has been accelerating its stablecoin strategy in parallel. In April 2026, Visa announced it was adding five blockchains to its global stablecoin settlement pilot, with the program reaching a $7 billion annualized stablecoin settlement run rate, up 50% since the prior quarter. The Dunamu partnership extends that momentum into the South Korean market and adds an AI-driven dimension that few comparable deals have included so far.

Sources:
Dunamu partners with Visa on next-generation financial services (Korea Herald)
Hana Bank to acquire $670 million stake in Upbit operator Dunamu (CoinDesk)
Visa Accelerates Stablecoin Momentum: Adding Five Blockchains for Settlement (Visa Newsroom)