[Kookmin Bank of South Korea Issues $100 Million Blockchain Digital Bond] According to the Korea Economic Daily, Kookmin Bank of South Korea has successfully issued a $100 million blockchain digital bond, marking the first case in the country's banking industry. The bond was issued through HSBC's digital asset platform, Orion, and will subsequently be integrated into the clearing and settlement system of the Central Moneymarkets Unit under the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Kookmin Bank will also leverage the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's digital bond subsidy program to reduce part of the issuance costs. The bank stated that this issuance is part of KB Financial Group's "Transformation and Expansion" strategy, and following the completion of the technical verification for Korean won stablecoin payment and settlement, it is accelerating its push toward digital financial transformation.