Hyundai Successfully Uses Tether USDT and Avalanche for Real Cross-Border Corporate Payments

Hyundai Tests Stablecoin Transfers Between Overseas Units in Seven Minutes

Hyundai Card has completed a real-world test of stablecoin-powered cross-border payments between Hyundai Motor's overseas subsidiaries, showing how blockchain-based transfers could speed up international corporate settlements.

The proof of concept (PoC) involved an actual intercompany payment between Hyundai Motor America and its Mexican operation, making it more than a technology demonstration.

The company said the project was designed around genuine business settlement needs rather than an experimental blockchain trial.

Real Business Payment Replaces Hours With Minutes

During the pilot, Hyundai Motor America converted US$20,000 into Tether's USDT stablecoin before sending it across the Avalanche blockchain to Hyundai Motor Mexico.

The funds were then converted back into US dollars after reaching the recipient.

Hyundai Card said the entire transaction, including payment and settlement verification, took around seven minutes.

By comparison, a conventional cross-border bank transfer would typically require three to four hours.

The project was carried out with support from Tether, Avalanche and blockchain payments infrastructure provider Axiym.

A Hyundai Card spokesperson said,

"What makes this particularly meaningful is that the PoC was conducted in connection with actual intercompany settlement needs between Hyundai Motor's overseas entities, not as a theoretical blockchain experiment."

More Than A Technology Demonstration

Alongside the transaction itself, Hyundai Card said the pilot focused on building the operational framework needed for live international settlements.

Working with Hyundai Motor, the company reviewed accounting, tax, legal, regulatory and internal control requirements before designing the remittance process for overseas subsidiaries.

The aim was to identify and manage potential risks that could arise during real cross-border corporate payments instead of testing blockchain technology in isolation.

According to Hyundai Card, the project demonstrated infrastructure that could support practical business use rather than remaining an IT-focused experiment.

Europe Trial Expands Stablecoin Testing

Hyundai Card plans to launch a second proof of concept later in July 2026, this time connecting Hyundai Motor entities across Europe.

The next phase will include Visa and Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin.

Unlike the first trial, which used US dollars, the European pilot will test stablecoin remittances involving multiple local currencies, including the euro.

The company said the second trial will examine whether stablecoin-based settlements can reduce foreign exchange costs while maintaining faster payment processing for international transfers.

Hyundai Explores Wider Stablecoin Use

Following both pilots, Hyundai Card said it will continue assessing whether stablecoins can be introduced more broadly across Hyundai Motor Group's global operations.

The company plans to study potential applications beyond cross-border remittances, including intercompany settlements, treasury management and fund transfers between overseas subsidiaries, as it evaluates the commercial viability of stablecoin-based payment infrastructure.