KBank, the digital-only bank and exclusive banking partner for the crypto exchange Upbit, has announced plans to test on-chain cross-border remittances in collaboration with Ripple. The two companies have completed the initial phase of a proof-of-concept using a wallet-based remittance system and are now in the second phase, testing the stability of on-chain transfers to countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. KBank is leveraging Palisade, Ripple's software-as-a-service wallet, which was acquired earlier this year as part of Ripple's $4 billion investment in crypto-related ventures. Traditional international bank transfers often rely on correspondent banking networks like SWIFT, which can take several days to settle and incur cumulative fees at each intermediary.
In contrast, on-chain remittances enable direct fund transfers across a blockchain network, settling in minutes with fees paid only to the network. The partnership between KBank and Ripple aims to enhance the speed, cost, and transparency of remittance services for KBank's customers.
Additionally, KBank is preparing for upcoming stablecoin regulations in Korea by continuing to verify the technical feasibility of remittance use cases for stablecoins as the regulatory framework develops. Korean regulations require crypto exchange users to link a verified bank account before trading, with each major exchange partnered exclusively with one bank.
KBank holds a monopoly position with Upbit, the country's largest crypto exchange, which has contributed to the growth of KBank's user base from approximately 2 million in 2020 to 15 million by the end of 2025. As South Korean lawmakers finalize the Digital Asset Basic Act, a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework, major financial institutions in Korea are signing infrastructure deals with global blockchain companies. Korea is one of the most active retail crypto markets globally, with daily trading volumes on local exchanges often surpassing those of mainstream stocks during peak periods.
Banks operating in this market are positioning themselves to handle the anticipated corporate and cross-border activity once the Digital Asset Basic Act formalizes the treatment of stablecoins, custody, and tokenized assets under Korean law.