South Korea to Introduce Blockchain-Based Tokens for Government Expenditure in Q4

The South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance is set to launch a pilot program in the fourth quarter to test the use of blockchain-based deposit tokens for government expenditure as part of a broader effort to modernize public fund management. According to local media reports, the ministry has received approval for the pilot under the 2026 regulatory sandbox program, which will enable the use of digital currency to disburse Treasury funds. The approved pilot will allow business promotion expenses, currently processed using government purchasing cards, to be paid using tokenized deposits. This marks a significant shift from the traditional system governed by the Treasury Funds Management Act, which previously required card-based payments. In the sandbox environment, agencies will be permitted to operate outside these rules on a limited basis to test innovative methods. Officials anticipate that the new system will enhance oversight, as token-based payments can be programmed with predefined conditions such as spending limits and restrictions on which industries can accept them. This could reduce the need for manual audits, particularly when spending occurs outside standard hours. The system also eliminates intermediaries such as card networks, which the ministry believes could lead to lower transaction fees for small businesses receiving government payments. This is the second instance of deposit tokens being used in Treasury operations, following an earlier pilot related to subsidies for electric vehicle-charging infrastructure. The trial is scheduled to take place in Sejong City after a selection process for participating firms, according to the report. The ministry plans to expand the program if it demonstrates improved control over spending and yields measurable cost savings.