"Agentic payments will change the structure of the traditional financial industry ... Korea is at a turning point now" [KBW 2026]

[Financial News] "The agentic payments revolution requires stablecoins, clear tokenization, and on-chain exchanges and platforms. Korea is now at a critical turning point."
Joseph Chalom, CEO of SharpLink Gaming, made the remarks on the 30th at KBW 2026, held at WALKERHILL HOTELS & RESORTS in Seoul. He said agentic finance would change the structure of the traditional financial industry.
Chalom emphasized that agentic finance should not be viewed simply as a change in payment technology. He explained that AI agents could evolve to understand users' preferences and goals, then make or assist with financial decisions across the board.
“AI agents can understand an individual's preferences and goals and help reduce tax losses or secure greater coverage at the lowest possible fee,” he said.
He predicted that combining agentic finance with stablecoins would bring major changes to existing financial companies and payment providers. “Stablecoins will become the most powerful fee-cutting tool in human history,” Chalom said, citing how Skype significantly reduced the cost of telecommunications and voice services in the 2000s.
He also stressed that blockchain, particularly Ethereum, could become key infrastructure in this transformation. “What matters is which technology and platform are the safest and most trustworthy,” Chalom said, arguing that blockchain could provide a higher level of reliability than traditional financial technology.
Regarding the Korean market, he emphasized the need for institutional reforms. “Currently, 99% of stablecoins are dollar-based, and most activity is taking place in the West,” he said. “I hope Korea will seize this opportunity.”
He continued, “Now is the time for Korea's lawmakers and regulators to build the basic building blocks,” adding, “The country needs a system that can encourage innovation while protecting investors and market participants.”
Catherine Porter, president and co-founder of Metal and a fellow panelist, emphasized that infrastructure for building trust, rather than the technology itself, is crucial to the spread of agentic finance. Referring to her past experience working on Facebook's Libra project, she explained, “What I learned while working with institutions around the world was how to build global trust.”
She also said the trend would create opportunities for startups. “It is quite encouraging that the agentic AI community is beginning to understand this trend,” she said, adding, “The fact that incumbent companies have strong influence in the innovation space could instead become an opportunity for new companies.”

[email protected] Lim Sang-hyuk Reporter