South Korea\'s financial authorities expanded the scope of eased network separation rules for AI use to secondary financial institutions and electronic financial business operators. The number of firms to be selected rises to as many as 15, and eligibility thresholds are lowered. Selected institutions can use external AI and security SaaS after putting alternative controls in place. Industry expectations are mixed, with some firms cautious. Global fintech investment rose to $103.1 billion in the first half, with focus expected to shift to AI and financial infrastructure.

Big Tech, financial firms and payment companies in South Korea are widening digital-asset initiatives by teaming up with global blockchain companies. Kakao Group and Toss and Toss Bank are working with Circle to review stablecoin-based payment and settlement infrastructure and tokenised financial services. Banks are developing cross-border remittance and payment models. Separately, the top four financial holding groups posted combined first-half net profit above 11 trillion won, while regulators step up group-level oversight of fintech expansion.