Naver’s first-quarter revenue rose 16.3 percent from a year earlier, but operating profit grew 7.2 percent as AI infrastructure investment and content procurement costs were incurred first. Its operating margin fell to 16.7 percent from 19.1 percent in the previous quarter. Infrastructure costs rose 32.5 percent and partner and marketing expenses also increased. Naver plans to step up AI advertising monetisation from the second half.

Competition over global payment infrastructure centered on stablecoins is spreading across the financial industry. Hana Financial Group is moving to cooperate on blockchain-based remittances with Dunamu and POSCO International, while Visa is expanding its stablecoin pilot and adding five more blockchains. U.S. banks are calling for stronger in-house blockchain strategies, and Shinhan Card is expanding a Solana-linked proof-of-concept. Markets also remain strong, with the KOSPI holding above 6,600 and repeatedly hitting record highs.