https://pulse.mk.co.kr/news/all/11355510


” . 사진 확대 The Bank of Korea (BOK) has temporarily suspended the second phase of testing for its central bank digital currency (CBDC) project as interest in the adoption of won-based stablecoins from both the National Assembly and the private sector continues to grow.According to financial industry sources on Sunday, the BOK recently notified banks that participated in the first phase of its CBDC payment pilot, known as Project Han-gang, that discussions on the second phase would be put on hold. The central bank initially planned to launch the second phase in the fourth quarter of 2025 but as the momentum around the legal framework for privately issued won-based stablecoins increases and the debate over their potential coexistence with CBDC continues, the BOK opted to pause further testing to minimize policy uncertainty.Following the decision, banks are expected to increase their focus on stablecoin development. The Open Blockchain & Decentralized Identifier Association (OBDIA) is leading industry discussions on stablecoin issuance and currently includes nine banks, including South Korea’s five major commercial banks KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NH Nonghyup. Now Busan Bank, Kyongnam Bank, and Toss Bank are also reportedly considering joining the association.As the virtual asset framework bill includes provisions that significantly lower entry barriers for private-sector participation, collaborations between banks and non-bank entities are expected to accelerate. Hashed, Korea’s largest blockchain accelerator where Presidential Chief of Staff for Policy Kim Yong-beom was previously employed, also reportedly held recent discussions with several major banks regarding stablecoin initiatives. By Jeon Gyeong-woon, Lee So-yeon, and Chang Iou-chung [ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved] . ”