KB Kookmin Card Files Patent Application for Hybrid Payments Linked to Digital Assets

KB Kookmin Card said on the 14th that it has filed a patent application for hybrid payment technology that allows digital assets to be used alongside existing card payment infrastructure.

The patent links a blockchain-based e-wallet address to a customer’s credit card, enabling the combined use of digital assets and a credit card without issuing a separate card. At payment, the stablecoin balance held in the e-wallet is applied first; if the balance is insufficient, the transaction automatically switches to credit card payment.

The technology focuses on minimizing inconveniences that may arise in the use of digital assets while maintaining the existing card payment structure. Customers can use digital assets as a payment method while retaining the same card user experience and benefits without an additional card issuance.

KB Kookmin Card expects the technology to naturally connect traditional financial infrastructure with blockchain technology, helping stablecoins establish themselves as a practical means of payment not confined to a specific platform. It also said the technology could be applicable in the expansion of domestic payment environments as well as global payments and digital asset use.

With the patent filing as a catalyst, KB Kookmin Card plans to technically review the intersection of traditional finance and new technologies and continue research to prepare for changes in the payments environment. It said it will also explore the feasibility of phased implementation in consideration of related legislation and the institutional framework.

A KB Kookmin Card official said, “This is meaningful in laying the groundwork to make digital assets easier and safer to use. We will review how to apply it with financial consumer protection as the top priority, taking into account the regulatory environment and market conditions.”