Shinhan Financial bets on stablecoins, AI in digital overhaul

South Korea’s largest financial group highlights stablecoins as a growth driver, as its chairman pushes tech-led transformation

Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong vowed to actively integrate stablecoins and agent AI into its services as part of a broader digital overhaul during the annual Analyst Day on Jeju Island on Aug. 28-29, 2025 (Courtesy of Shinhan Financial)

Jin-Seong Kim 2

2025-09-01 14:39:42 jskim1028@hankyung.com

Banking & Finance

Shinhan Financial Group Co., South Korea’s largest financial firm, is stepping up efforts to integrate stablecoins and artificial intelligence into its services as part of a broader digital overhaul led by Chairman Jin Ok-dong.

“Stablecoins, AI agents and ERP are key drivers that will reshape financial services and create new value for customers,” Jin said at the company’s Analyst Day on Aug. 28-29.

“We will strive to build a sustainable financial ecosystem by making our services more innovative yet practical.”

ERP, or enterprise resource planning, is software that integrates a firm’s core functions on one platform, from accounting to compliance, to streamline operations.

The remarks marked the first time Shinhan highlighted stablecoins as a growth driver. Under Jin’s leadership, the group has been expanding its digital asset initiatives to prepare for what he calls a “tidal shift” in the global financial industry.

Last month, Jin met Heath Tarbert, chief legal officer and president of Circle Internet Group, the US fintech that issues USD Coin (USDC), during Tarbert's Seoul visit. USDC is one of the world’s most widely used dollar-pegged stablecoins alongside Tether.

The Circle president also held talks in Seoul with lawmakers, other banking executives and digital-asset firms during his visit.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Kim Min-seung, head of research at Korbit, one of Korea’s four largest crypto exchanges, also joined the Shinhan event as a speaker, sharing insights on global digital asset trends.

This year’s Analyst Day, held under the theme of a digital paradigm shift, stressed the need for speed in adopting new technologies.

“Digital transformation and regulatory changes are a tidal force reshaping the competitive edge of financial firms,” Jin said.

“We will ensure South Korea’s financial industry becomes a stronger player on the global stage.”

Shinhan Financial offers services spanning banking, insurance, securities, credit cards and asset management.

Overseas units in Japan, Vietnam and Kazakhstan have lately helped lift Shinhan’s overall results, complementing solid domestic operations.

Write to Jin-Seong Kim at jskim1028@hankyung.com

Sookyung Seo edited this article.