Toss (Viva Republica) and cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb are reportedly in talks to forge a strategic alliance focused on developing a stablecoin-based payment system. This potential partnership aims to create a competitive alternative to the won-based stablecoin collaboration already in motion between Naver Pay and Upbit (Dunamu). Sources indicate that Toss has been engaging with Bithumb to discuss integrating stablecoins into a broader payment ecosystem. This move signifies a growing trend of fintech companies and crypto exchanges joining forces to leverage the benefits of stablecoins for payments and settlements. The alliance could accelerate the adoption of stablecoins within South Korea, offering users a more efficient and potentially cost-effective payment solution compared to traditional methods. It remains to be seen what specific stablecoin will be used and the regulatory hurdles they may face. This is a developing story. ```