Kaia DLT Foundation has announced a strategic partnership with blockchain fintech company DaWinKS to integrate Kaia-issued USDT support across Digital ATMs (DTMs) positioned at South Korea’s most popular tourist destinations. This innovative offline on/off-ramp service enables international visitors and K-culture enthusiasts to withdraw cash in real-world currencies directly from their Kaia USDT deposits or obtain prepaid transit cards for convenient local transportation. The collaboration addresses the growing demand from foreign travelers seeking seamless cryptocurrency-to-fiat conversion services while exploring South Korea’s vibrant cultural landscape.
The DTMs utilize sophisticated KYC authentication technology based on DaWinKS’s trusted passport and facial recognition systems, the same technology employed at Korean airport immigration checkpoints to ensure security and reliability. After completing the verification process and scanning QR codes, users can access services supporting 85 legal currencies from 15 countries, with digital assets converted to local currency based on daily exchange rates. Currently, seven strategic locations host these services including N Seoul Tower, multiple Homeplus and Lotte Mart branches, LIFEWORK Mega Store Myeongdong, Myeongdong Money Club, and NamDaeMun Exchange Café, with plans for nationwide expansion across major Lotte Mart locations.
While the service currently caters exclusively to foreign visitors, DaWinKS plans to extend access to domestic consumers within the year, significantly expanding the user base. The DTMs have supported itcoin">Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT since late 2024, with both companies now working to integrate native $KAIA tokens into the service portfolio. DaWinKS CEO Jong-myeong Lee emphasized the partnership’s role in expanding stablecoin utility through proven fintech experience spanning currency exchange, cryptocurrency ATMs, and QR payment systems, while leveraging Kaia’s partnerships with major Web3 and fintech companies like Tether and LINE NEXT.
This collaboration represents a significant milestone for Kaia’s mission to bring Web3 services to mainstream users across Asia, building on the foundation’s integration with Kakaotalk and LINE messengers that collectively serve over 250 million users. Dr. Sam Seo, Chairman of Kaia DLT Foundation, highlighted how the partnership expands real-world use cases for Kaia network’s native USDT and future local stablecoins, anticipating growing demand for cross-border exchange services as consumer perception of digital assets continues improving. The initiative demonstrates Kaia’s commitment to making Web3 technology as accessible and user-friendly as traditional Web2 services within familiar messenger platforms.
