South Korea\'s financial sector has entered the first-quarter earnings season, with non-interest income and non-bank units driving diverging results among major financial holding companies. KB Financial Group, Shinhan Financial Group and Hana Financial Group posted record results, while Woori Financial Group recorded a decline. Strong stock markets lifted securities firms\' earnings, and new savings and investment products were launched. The industry is also accelerating a shift toward AI and digital finance, alongside calls for stronger controls and risk management.

Ripple is expanding cooperation with central banks but is drawing a line against market expectations that government adoption of XRP is imminent. Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz said claims of a secret, large-scale rollout around XRP were not true. He said Ripple has non-disclosure agreements with some partners, but that does not imply major XRP-related announcements. Schwartz also warned against investment decisions based on unverified information or conspiracy theories.