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Samsung SDS is exploring stablecoin infrastructure and AI-powered payment services with Dunamu, the operator of South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit.
CEO Lee Jun-hee said during the company’s second-quarter earnings call that the partnership is intended to build digital finance infrastructure rather than serve as a passive investment. The companies are examining stablecoin systems, crypto-related financial IT services and AI-based payment products.
Samsung SDS Targets Stablecoin Infrastructure for Banks
Samsung SDS plans to combine its cloud, AI, cybersecurity, data-management and IT services with Dunamu’s experience operating blockchain and digital asset infrastructure. The company has identified stablecoin infrastructure as one area where the partnership could produce commercial products for banks and other financial institutions.
Samsung SDS has also tested stablecoin processes covering issuance through settlement. It previously worked on infrastructure for tokenized securities, giving the company a base for regulated digital-finance services.
AI Payments Form Second Development Track
Lee said Samsung SDS views digital assets as a new business area alongside its expanding AI and cloud operations. The company is also examining payment products that use artificial intelligence.
That work could connect Samsung SDS’s enterprise technology services with Dunamu’s crypto-market infrastructure if South Korea creates rules for won-backed digital money. No stablecoin, settlement network or AI payment product has been formally launched through the Dunamu partnership.
Samsung Affiliates Invest 612.8B Won for 4% of Dunamu
The talks follow a strategic investment agreed in May by Samsung SDS, Samsung Securities and Samsung Card. The three Samsung affiliates will acquire a combined 4% stake in Dunamu for 612.8 billion won. Samsung Securities will hold 2%.
Samsung SDS and Samsung Card will each acquire 1%. Samsung said at the time that the investment was intended to create opportunities across tokenized securities, crypto services, blockchain infrastructure and payments.
Samsung Card Considers Stablecoin Payments Through Monimo
Samsung Card is separately considering digital asset payments through Monimo, Samsung Financial Networks’ integrated app. That plan remains conditional on South Korea allowing won-denominated stablecoins.
If a regulated won stablecoin framework is introduced, Samsung Card could use Monimo as a consumer-facing channel for digital asset payments. For now, the company has not launched a stablecoin payment service.
Won Stablecoin Rules Will Determine Commercial Rollout
South Korea has yet to finalize a regulatory framework for domestic stablecoins. Lawmakers and financial regulators are still debating issuer eligibility, reserve requirements and how banks and technology companies should participate.
That leaves Samsung SDS and Dunamu in the infrastructure-development stage rather than operating a commercial stablecoin service. The companies can continue developing payment, blockchain and financial IT systems while the legal framework takes shape.
Any won-backed stablecoin or related payment product would still depend on legislation, regulatory approvals and the final rules governing issuance and distribution.
