In a major step toward expanding the everyday use of digital assets, Crypto.com and KSNET have announced a strategic partnership that allows foreign travelers to pay for goods and services in South Korea using cryptocurrency. Through Crypto.com Pay, travelers can now make purchases at top-tier fashion, beauty, and duty-free outlets across the country — all in crypto.
The partnership also marks a breakthrough in public transportation: foreign holders of the Crypto.com Visa Card, whether physical or digital, can now pay for mass bus transit in Jeju, a popular tourist hotspot that previously operated within a closed-loop fare system. This development opens up seamless mobility options for crypto-savvy travelers, reinforcing the practicality and utility of digital currency in real-world scenarios.
KSNET, one of Korea’s top four Value-Added Networks (VAN) and a key player in the country’s fintech landscape, processes around 130 million transactions monthly, with an approximate transaction volume of USD $4 billion. It serves over 330,000 merchants nationwide, providing comprehensive payment infrastructure and innovative solutions to Korean businesses.
With Crypto.com Pay, KSNET merchants can now offer their customers the ability to pay with digital currencies while enjoying lower transaction fees and faster settlement times. The platform also provides merchants with easy integration and access to Crypto.com’s growing global user base, opening new revenue opportunities and customer engagement channels.
“Further enabling the everyday utility of cryptocurrencies is central to our vision of crypto in every wallet,” said Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com. “By partnering with KSNET, the leading merchant payment provider of Korea, we are taking a significant step forward in that vision.”
Echoing this sentiment, Hankook Park, CEO of KSNET, stated:
“KSNET continuously provides innovative payment solutions to meet the evolving needs of merchants and customers. Through this partnership with Crypto.com, we expect to expand payment options for foreign travelers and further strengthen KSNET’s position in Korea’s payment industry.”
This partnership not only brings South Korea closer to mainstream crypto adoption but also enhances the travel experience for millions of global visitors — making it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to explore the country using digital assets.