Summary
Coupang and Woori Bank completed a proof-of-concept for real-time merchant settlement using a won-denominated stablecoin on the Tempo blockchain. The test simulated Coupang Eats order payments being settled to merchants in real time — a significant improvement over the typical 3+ business day settlement cycle. For a restaurant turning over $10,000/week, instant settlement frees approximately $4,300 in working capital that would otherwise be tied up in payment float. The companies call it Korea's first test to verify the full flow of payment, real-time settlement, and on- and off-ramp in a live-equivalent environment.
Key Points
- PoC completed July 27, 2026 by Coupang and Woori Bank
- Use case: Coupang Eats merchant settlement in real time
- Won-pegged stablecoin on Tempo blockchain (payments-focused layer-1)
- Woori Bank: digital wallet-to-bank account link, on/off-ramp construction
- Verified full cycle: payment → real-time settlement → on/off-ramp
- Typical merchant settlement: 3+ business days
- Working capital impact: $10K/week restaurant frees ~$4,300 in float
- Both companies tied further validation to Korea's coming stablecoin rules
- Signed strategic partnership; plan further validation
- Tempo: Coupang is early partner and investor
- If live: instant payout becomes competitive differentiator for Coupang Eats
- Rival platforms (Baedal Minjok, Yogiyo) would face pressure to match