Hana, Dunamu team up for AI financial services

Hana Financial Group Vice Chairman Lee Eun-hyung, right, and Dunamu CEO Oh Kyoung-suk pose at Hana Financial Group’s headquarters in Myeong-dong in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group

By Lee Kyung-min

• Published Dec 4, 2025 3:42 PM KST

Hana Financial Group and Dunamu, the operator of Korea’s crypto exchange Upbit, said Thursday that they signed an agreement to foster a new strategic partnership to develop global financial services backed by artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies, including digital assets and cross-border payment innovation.

The first service to be introduced will apply blockchain technology to the overseas remittance process.

Customers will be able to send and receive money and have their transfer information recorded on a blockchain ledger, enabling a faster, simpler and safer global money transfers.

The two say that the new system will significantly reduce time and costs compared with existing remittance methods, expanding benefits not only for individual customers but also for exporters, importers and other companies involved in international trade.

Hana Bank will introduce blockchain-based remittances between its headquarters and its overseas branches and subsidiaries as early as the first quarter of next year.

Once initial technology verification is completed, the two will gradually expand the related infrastructure and systems.

Hana’s digital asset task force will be strengthened, as well as its joint response framework across its banking, card and securities affiliates.

It is actively developing products, services and infrastructure ahead of upcoming digital-asset regulations in an effort to contribute to industry growth and enhance financial convenience for the public.

Both view the partnership as a way to create new value in global finance, aided by merging Hana’s international network with Dunamu’s blockchain expertise amid rapid changes in the digital transformation era.

Hana said the commercialization of blockchain technology and the regulatory advancement involving stablecoins will foster new, tech-driven services.

Dunamu said services related to stablecoins will bring blockchain financial services to the front and center, including digital wallets.