Blockchain foundation KAIA (DLT Foundation) is teaming up with global stablecoin issuer Tether, KakaoPay, and LINE NEXT to host the “Korea Stablecoin Hackathon,” launching on August 1. With a total prize pool of 100 million KRW (approx. $75,000), the event welcomes developers, designers, planners, early-stage entrepreneurs, and university students from both Korea and abroad.
The hackathon features two main tracks: an ideathon focused on KRW-backed stablecoin use cases, and a USDT-based hackathon using the KAIA blockchain. Evaluation will focus on key themes such as financial inclusion, payment innovation, real-world asset (RWA) integration, DAO operations, cross-border remittances, and digital content transactions.
More than just a competition, the event signals a strategic move to accelerate Web3 ecosystem growth. The final demo day, scheduled for early September, will feature a keynote by National Assembly Member Min Byung-deok, who proposed Korea’s Digital Asset Basic Act. Academic, industry, and public sector leaders will also join to discuss the future of stablecoin regulation and innovation in Korea.
KAIA plans continued support for participants after the hackathon, including Mini-Dapp launches on LINE Messenger, investment connections with global VCs such as Shimsan Ventures, and dedicated developer community programs. The goal is to foster a full-cycle pipeline—from idea to development, funding, and real-world deployment.
The participation of Tether, issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin USDT, along with governance roles from KakaoPay and LINE NEXT, elevates the global and policy relevance of the event. Industry watchers expect this collaboration to set the foundation for Korea’s stablecoin ecosystem to expand through a well-balanced mix of international cooperation and domestic innovation.
