BDACS, a digital asset infrastructure provider, announced a strategic partnership with global Layer 1 blockchain platform Aptos to accelerate the adoption of KRW-denominated stablecoins. The collaboration aims to broaden the ecosystem surrounding KRW1, which the companies described as the world’s first Korean won-backed stablecoin.
The agreement, signed through a memorandum of understanding, focuses on ecosystem expansion and infrastructure cooperation for KRW1. Under the partnership, the stablecoin will be integrated into the Aptos blockchain network as part of a broader multi-chain strategy intended to improve liquidity and user accessibility across different blockchain environments.
The companies stated that KRW1 will expand onto the Aptos network to strengthen stablecoin accessibility, improve liquidity, and support broader Web3 financial applications.
First Non-EVM Mainnet Integration
The partnership marks a significant step for KRW1 because it represents the project’s first integration with the Aptos Move ecosystem among non-Ethereum Virtual Machine mainnets. The companies indicated that this move could open the door for more advanced blockchain-based financial services and new commercial applications in the future.
By utilizing Aptos’ payment infrastructure and global partnership network, the firms intend to develop practical use cases for the stablecoin in both domestic and international markets. The initiative is expected to focus heavily on real-world payment adoption and blockchain-based commerce solutions.
The companies also revealed plans to establish an on-chain commerce environment that would connect stablecoin payments with mobile gift certificate services that already serve large user bases. Blockchain wallet infrastructure will also be incorporated to ensure transparent and efficient payment processing within the real economy.
The collaboration is expected to help create an on-chain commerce ecosystem where stablecoins can be used transparently for everyday payments, settlements, and digital asset transactions.
Aptos Expands Korean Market Presence
Aptos was founded by developers who previously worked on Meta’s Diem blockchain initiative. The network has attracted partnerships with several major financial and technology firms, including BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and Apollo.
🤝🏼 BDACS X @Aptos Foundation | Scaling the KRW1 Ecosystem@BDACSKorea joins forces with Aptos to expand #KRW1, the world’s first KRW stablecoin. This first non-EVM integration leverages Aptos' high-performance infrastructure to power daily payments and on-chain commerce.
— BDACS (@BDACSKorea) May 13, 2026
Through this partnership, Aptos selected BDACS as its infrastructure partner in South Korea, highlighting the company’s compliance standards and digital asset custody capabilities.
Ryu Hong-yeol, chief executive officer of BDACS, explained that Aptos’ high-speed transaction processing and global ecosystem provide an effective foundation for bringing KRW1 into real-world financial environments. He added that the collaboration would support the stablecoin’s evolution into a widely used payment asset across both domestic and international markets.
Ash Pampati, head of ecosystem growth at the Aptos Foundation, reportedly described South Korea as a strategically important market due to its active retail participation and consumer-driven blockchain projects. He also noted that the combination of KRW1 and the Aptos blockchain could contribute to the development of a global on-chain commerce infrastructure covering daily payments, enterprise settlements, and real-world asset tokenization.
Compliance and Security Remain Core Focus
BDACS currently operates under a Virtual Asset Service Provider license and stated that it maintains strict compliance with both domestic and international regulatory standards. The company has also expanded its institutional business in recent years through Prime Custody Solutions, designed for corporate and institutional investors.
Earlier this year, BDACS obtained the SOC 1 Type 2 global security certification to strengthen its international security standards. The company stated that this certification would support the stable issuance and operational management of KRW1 moving forward.
BDACS emphasized that its regulatory compliance framework and newly acquired SOC 1 Type 2 certification would help ensure the secure and stable operation of the KRW1 ecosystem.
