KB Kookmin Bank to launch import-export payments using JPMorgan Kinexys blockchain network

KB Kookmin Bank is set to launch a corporate import-export payment service next month utilizing JPMorgan's Kinexys blockchain network. This initiative marks the first instance of a South Korean financial institution integrating the Kinexys infrastructure for cross-border trade settlements. The service aims to streamline international payments by leveraging programmable features that allow for 24/7 automated fund transfers, effectively bypassing traditional settlement delays caused by time zone differences. Initially supporting U.S. dollar remittances, the service will be accessible through KB Kookmin Bank's domestic branches and its Singapore office, covering 10 countries including the U.S., India, and Thailand. By connecting global digital payment rails with domestic corporate finance, the bank expects to significantly improve trade payment collection and liquidity management for exporters. This development highlights the growing institutional adoption of blockchain-based payment networks to modernize legacy trade finance workflows. The integration underscores the shift toward programmable, real-time settlement systems in global banking, reducing reliance on the conventional SWIFT-only processing model.