Crypto.com has partnered with KG Inicis, one of South Korea’s largest payment gateways and value-added network providers, to roll out crypto payment options for foreign visitors nationwide.
KG Inicis, which processes hundreds of millions of transactions each year and serves roughly 190,000 affiliated merchants, will support the deployment of Crypto.com Pay across its network, the companies said in a joint announcement. KG Inicis holds about 40% market share in merchant acceptance.
“KG Inicis boasts an unrivalled merchant acceptance network with 40% market share and we’re proud to partner with this fintech powerhouse to make digital asset payments easier for travellers to Korea,” Eric Anziani, president and chief operating officer of Crypto.com, said.
The integration enables international travelers to pay for goods and services with digital assets at physical stores and online platforms across KG Inicis’s merchant network. Merchants can choose to receive payments instantly in either fiat currency or digital assets.
Crypto.com and KG Inicis said they are exploring deeper cooperation beyond payments, including joint marketing and new product development, pending regulatory approval. “Through our collaboration with Crypto.com, we plan to expand an infrastructure where digital assets can be utilised in actual economic activities, all while ensuring a solid legal and regulatory foundation,” a KG Inicis representative added.
The partnership arrives as Crypto.com expands its regulated services. In February the exchange received conditional approval for a U.S. national bank charter, which would allow it to operate as a federally regulated digital asset custodian. Earlier, the platform earned ISO certification for AI systems management, signaling broader technology and compliance ambitions.
Other countries have moved to allow tourists to spend crypto. In May 2025, Bhutan launched a crypto payment system for tourism through a partnership with Binance Pay and DK Bank, enabling travelers to pay for hotels, tickets and services using more than 100 cryptocurrencies. In August, Thailand announced an 18-month “TouristDigiPay” program to let tourists convert crypto into Thai baht for spending, with merchants receiving fiat.
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