Dunamu and Visa partner on stablecoin and AI payments

Dunamu and Visa sign strategic partnership

Dunamu, the parent company of the South Korean crypto exchange Upbit, announced on Friday that it has entered a strategic partnership with Visa. The two companies plan to combine Dunamu's digital asset technology with Visa's global payment network.

The partnership aims to create new financial services using stablecoins and artificial intelligence (AI). Stablecoins are digital currencies that are usually tied to the value of a traditional currency like the US dollar, which helps keep their price steady.

Specific areas of exploration include stablecoin-based payments, cross-border money transfers, and AI-driven financial tools. The companies stated they want to make the use of digital assets safer and more transparent while following regulations.

Focus on AI and agentic commerce

On the AI side, Dunamu and Visa will look into "agentic commerce." This involves AI agents that can search for goods or services and complete purchases and payments on behalf of a user.

Dunamu CEO Oh Kyung-seok said the spread of AI, stablecoins, and tokenization is a key trend that will change how finance and commerce operate. He added that the cooperation with Visa will help connect digital assets with existing finance to create new global financial experiences.

OUSD under review

The press release specifically mentioned that the partnership will review the potential use of Open Standard's Open USD (OUSD) in future collaborations. OUSD is a dollar-backed stablecoin launched in June that has gained support from over 140 global institutions, including Visa, Mastercard, and Google.

Although Dunamu was listed as a consortium partner for the OUSD project, the company later clarified that there was no formal agreement to participate. A Dunamu spokesperson told The Block that OUSD is one of many stablecoin projects being reviewed.

"We are not prioritizing nor excluding specific stablecoins, but are aiming for an open structure that can connect various stablecoins, finance, and payment infrastructure," the spokesperson said. The actual asset used will be decided after a review of market demand, regulatory environment, stability, and suitability.

Visa expands South Korea ties

This announcement comes just two days after Visa revealed an agreement with Shinhan Financial Group, another major South Korean financial company. That separate partnership will also focus on stablecoins, AI, and B2B payments.

Key points

• Dunamu, parent of Upbit, partnered with Visa for stablecoin and AI services.
• The firms will explore stablecoin payments, cross-border remittances, and AI agentic commerce.
• Dunamu confirmed it is reviewing the potential use of Open Standard's OUSD but has not made a final decision.
• Visa recently also announced a similar partnership with Shinhan Financial Group in South Korea.

What is confirmed

• A strategic partnership between Dunamu and Visa has been signed.
• The partnership will explore stablecoin and AI-based financial services.
• Dunamu is reviewing OUSD as a potential stablecoin for future use.

What is still unclear

• It is not yet known if or when a stablecoin service will launch.
• It is unclear if OUSD will be selected over other stablecoin options.

Why this matters for crypto investors

The deal highlights the growing interest from major financial companies like Visa in integrating stablecoins and AI into global payment systems. For Dunamu, it signals a move to connect its digital asset technology with traditional global finance infrastructure.

Sources

• The Block