The Bank of Korea launches integration of CBDC into real banking systems, while the U.S. prepares a moratorium until 2030.
South Korea is taking a decisive step toward integrating a central bank digital currency (CBDC) into everyday financial infrastructure. The Bank of Korea is moving its pilot project to a new, critical phase, embedding the digital form of the national currency directly into the settlement systems of commercial banks.
Nine banks and real transactions
In this phase, nine of the country's largest commercial banks are joining the project. They will develop electronic wallets, vouchers, and the necessary blockchain infrastructure to fully manage CBDC deposit tokens. While the previous phase limited testing to isolated payments, digital assets will now be integrated into existing banking systems for real settlements and transactions. Additionally, the pilot includes replacing government subsidies and targeted program funds with digital vouchers, which is expected to improve budget allocation efficiency and reduce administrative costs.
Opposite direction: The US prepares a ban
Against this backdrop, the position of the United States stands in stark contrast. The administration of President Donald Trump has consistently opposed the issuance of a CBDC. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently confirmed that under the current government, a digital dollar will not emerge, with the focus instead on US leadership in private digital assets. Moreover, last week, the Senate and House of Representatives agreed to advance a major housing bill, which includes a provision directly banning the issuance of a CBDC until December 31, 2030.
Thus, the world's two largest economies are moving in diametrically opposite directions: Seoul is actively embedding state-backed digital currency into the financial system, while Washington is legislatively blocking even the possibility of its emergence.
Expert comment: While the US wastes time on political debates and moratoriums, Asia continues to build its technological advantage. The Bank of Korea's pilot is not just an experiment but a demonstration of readiness for a new financial architecture. If the US ban is lifted by 2030, the gap in infrastructure and experience could be critical. The market already sees who is betting on the future.