Project Hangang’s AI system uses deposit tokens for autonomous transactions, aiming to modernize payment infrastructure
LG CNS announced on the 22nd that it successfully demonstrated, for the first time in South Korea, an “Agency AI-based Digital Currency Automatic Payment System” with the Bank of Korea. This system enables artificial intelligence (AI) to autonomously handle processes from product search to purchase decisions and payments.
This demonstration is part of the Bank of Korea’s ongoing “Project Hangang,” which began last year. The goal is to implement next-generation payment infrastructure where AI autonomously performs the entire commercial transaction process using a digital currency platform where deposit tokens (tokenized forms of bank deposits) circulate.
In this demonstration, LG CNS and the Bank of Korea assumed a real-world commercial environment where a digital content creator, set as a virtual persona, purchases content sources from multiple platforms for content production. Based on this, they implemented an automated scenario where an AI agent performs product search, comparison, and purchase decisions.
The Agency AI-based Digital Currency Automatic Payment System automatically searches for and compares content sources needed by creators, makes purchase decisions, and completes payments in digital currency within pre-set conditions, delegated by users. According to LG CNS, this allows creators to focus on content production without complex purchasing procedures.
The system is designed for buyer and seller agents to communicate autonomously within delegated authority. Automatic payments between agents occur through the transfer of deposit tokens between the electronic wallets of buyers and sellers on the digital currency platform.
The Bank of Korea plans to continue research to support stablecoins and similar digital currencies as payment methods in the future.
An LG CNS official explained, “Globally, agency commerce — where AI performs product searches, purchases, and payments on behalf of consumers — is gaining attention as a new trend. Blockchain-based digital currencies like deposit tokens and stablecoins are emerging as alternatives better suited for micro and high-frequency payments compared to traditional card or account-based payment methods.”
Kim Hong-geun, LG CNS Digital Business Division Head (Vice President), stated, “We have confirmed the technical feasibility of an AI-based digital currency automatic payment structure. Based on this, we will support the Bank of Korea in proactively preparing future payment infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, LG CNS is the main contractor for the Bank of Korea’s “Project Hangang,” responsible for blockchain technology development and platform construction. Earlier, LG CNS completed the construction of the Bank of Korea’s digital currency platform and conducted real transaction tests from April to June of last year with approximately 80,000 customers from seven participating banks. Currently, as part of the follow-up real transaction project under Project Hangang, it is preparing a “Pilot Project for National Treasury Subsidy Execution Based on a Digital Currency Platform” and is also advancing projects related to tokenized securities and stablecoins.
Additionally, on the 22nd, LG CNS was selected as the contractor for the Bank of Korea’s 31.7 billion Korean won-scale offshore won payment system integration project. The offshore won payment system refers to financial infrastructure that allows financial institutions located outside South Korea to directly trade and settle won.
