Kakao Group has entered into a strategic partnership with stablecoin issuer Circle to investigate payment infrastructure for won-backed stablecoins, as South Korea prepares to implement a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. On Thursday, Kakao, its subsidiaries Kakao Pay and Kakao Bank, and Circle Internet Group finalized a memorandum of understanding aimed at connecting Circle’s blockchain expertise and global payments systems with Kakao’s widely used financial and consumer platforms.