TLDR
Some large merchants and payment networks have added stablecoin payments recently. Trip.com enabled USDT and USDC checkout for prepaid bookings in select markets, per a report on Trip.com stablecoin checkout.
- Trip.com (USDT, USDC) for prepaid hotel and flight bookings in certain regions.
- South Koreas BC Card completed a pilot allowing foreign users to pay local merchants using stablecoins, preparing a wider rollout, per a BC Card pilot update.
- INEX and KPN finished a USDC payments proof of concept and outlined a limited pilot for KPN?affiliated merchants, per a merchant pilot plan.
Deep Dive
1. Trip.com
Trip.com switched on stablecoin checkout in select overseas markets, offering USDT and USDC for prepaid hotel and flight bookings on its international platform, per the report on Trip.com stablecoin checkout.
- The option appears only in certain regions and is not offered in mainland China, reflecting regulatory constraints, according to the same report above.
- A reporter confirmed a successful prepaid booking using USDT in Vietnam, indicating live functionality where eligible.
If you see stablecoin at checkout, it is likely limited to specific regions and product types. Check eligibility and whether refunds settle in fiat or stablecoins.
2. BC Card Merchant Network (Korea)
South Koreas payments giant BC Card completed a pilot enabling foreign users to pay local merchants using stablecoins as part of a broader stablecoin payment structure, per the BC Card pilot update.
- The pilot signals processor?level support that can cascade across many merchants once product and policy are finalized.
- Regulatory debates on issuer rules remain active, which can affect rollout speed and scope, per the notice above.
Adoption may expand through payment networks first. Merchant availability will increase as processors formalize settlement, compliance, and refund flows.
3. INEX and KPN Merchant Pilot (Korea)
INEX, a licensed VASP, and KPN, a domestic payment gateway, validated end?to?end USDC payment flows and outlined a limited pilot for selected KPN?affiliated merchants, per the merchant pilot plan.
- The pilot focuses on operational readiness and compliance controls such as AML, refunds, and reporting.
- Expansion depends on pilot outcomes and regulatory timelines, as described in the plan above.
Expect early merchant cohorts tied to gateway partners. If successful, more online and offline channels could be added in phases.
Conclusion
Stablecoin payments are moving from isolated brand experiments to network?level pilots that can onboard many merchants at once. For practical use, look for processors and gateways announcing pilots, then verify merchant eligibility at checkout and understand how refunds settle. Risks include regional restrictions and evolving regulation that can limit where and how stablecoin payments are offered.
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