Solana Pay Expands into South Korean Market with KSNet Partnership

KSNet, a South Korean payment solutions provider, has partnered with the Solana Foundation to integrate Solana Pay into its network of over 330,000 merchants. This move is part of an agreement signed on July 30, 2026, and will see KSNet's processing network connect to the Solana blockchain.

The partnership contemplates two proof-of-concept projects focused on the Solana Pay gateway and the x402 protocol. The first phase involves demonstrating a connection between the blockchain's digital payment standard and KSNet's merchant network, with filters implemented to comply with local anti-money laundering regulations.

The technical architecture includes a direct link to the South Korean won settlement network, aimed at mitigating risks from exchange rate volatility during digital asset settlements. The second phase will analyze the x402 protocol within KSNet's automated payment systems, which allows artificial intelligence agents to execute micropayments for accessing APIs or restricted content.