KFTC Says AI, Digital Assets Will Drive Change in Finance Industry

The Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute said artificial intelligence and digital assets will drive a new wave of change in the financial industry, pledging to build the infrastructure to support that shift.

Chae Byung-deuk, president of the KFTC, made the remarks on Oct. 23 at the institute’s 40th anniversary seminar, "2026 Payment Insight," held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul.

"The shift from openness and connectivity to artificial intelligence and digital assets will have a major impact not only on the competitiveness of the financial industry, but also on the public’s financial lives," Chae said.

"Over the past 40 years, the KFTC has built payment and settlement infrastructure that anyone can use safely and conveniently," he said. "We will continue to work to foster a safe and reliable digital finance ecosystem going forward."

Ryu Hyuk-sun, chairman of the Korean Society of Payment and Settlement, also delivered congratulatory remarks at the event. He said digital technology has so far improved the efficiency and accessibility of financial transactions, but innovation is now expanding to financial service providers, decision-making systems, value transfer and payment methods.

He added that AI is moving beyond information analysis and operational support, with its potential broadening to task execution through AI agents. New digital payment methods based on stablecoins and tokenization are also presenting new possibilities for the development of payment infrastructure.

Ryu stressed that the spread of new technologies will also require risk management. Issues surrounding authority and responsibility in the use of AI agents, along with payment stability and broader financial stability as new digital payment methods spread, will be key tasks going forward, he said.