Tourists Can Now Withdraw Cash With USDT via Kaia ATMs in South Korea
Stablecoin ATMs launch in South Korea for tourists, as regulators continue to weigh rules on broader stablecoin use.
Foreign visitors to South Korea can now use select crypto-enabled kiosks to convert stablecoins into cash at major tourist destinations, in an experiment that offers a glimpse into how the country is warming to the idea of digital asset payments.
Built and operated by South Korean blockchain firm DaWinKS in partnership with the Kaia DLT Foundation, the machines support Kaia-issued USDT, a version of Tether’s stablecoin on the public blockchain formed from the merger of Klaytn and Finschia, two projects backed by Korean tech giant Kakao and Japan’s LINE app.
The companies say the machines are visible, easy to use, and integrated with infrastructure Koreans already rely on, such as convenience stores and transit hubs. Verified users can withdraw fiat in 85 currencies or load funds onto a local transit card.
Yet locals are barred from transacting, even if they hold crypto or are already familiar with the technology, leaving residents excluded.
