T-money to Tap Pay: How South Korea Became a Cashless Society
Discover how South Korea went cashless—from T-money transit cards to tap-to-pay smartphones. A deep dive into Asia’s most advanced digital payment culture. Introduction – Where Cash Became Optional For most people around the world, carrying a wallet filled with cash is still a daily habit. But in South Korea, that routine is quickly becoming outdated. From convenience stores to subway gates, and even traditional markets, the need for physical currency has nearly vanished. Korea’s transformation into a cashless society didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of technological innovation, public-private coordination, and an incredibly adaptive population. In this post, we’ll explore how Korea evolved from T-money transit cards to sophisticated tap-and-go smartphone payments, and what the rest of the world can learn from this journey. ...