Crypto.com has teamed up with South Korean payment gateway KG Inicis to let international visitors use cryptocurrencies at merchants across the country. The companies will integrate Crypto.com Pay into KG Inicis’ merchant network, allowing tourists to pay with digital assets both in physical stores and online. Merchants will be able to choose whether to receive settlements instantly in fiat currency or in crypto.
Announced in a March 17 press release, the rollout is described as an effort to connect digital assets with everyday commerce. A KG Inicis spokesperson said building payment infrastructure that ties digital assets to the real economy will be an essential competitive advantage for future finance and commerce, and the firm intends to expand that infrastructure while maintaining a firm legal and regulatory framework.
KG Inicis is one of South Korea’s largest payment providers, processing hundreds of millions of transactions each year, supporting roughly 190,000 affiliated merchants and holding about 40% of the local market. Beyond payment acceptance, the partners say they will explore joint marketing initiatives and new product development, subject to regulatory approval.
The collaboration fits with Crypto.com’s wider growth strategy. The company recently won conditional approval for a U.S. national trust bank charter, earned ISO certification for AI systems management, and launched a prediction-market product called OG.
Regional interest in crypto payments for tourism is growing. Thailand announced an 18-month TouristDigiPay pilot to let visitors convert crypto to baht for everyday spending, while Bhutan introduced a tourism crypto payment system through a partnership with Binance Pay and DK Bank that enables travelers to pay for hotels, tickets and services with digital assets.