Conducted a proof of concept (PoC) in a real-world trade transaction environment
Enabled real-time sharing of transaction information between the headquarters and overseas subsidiaries through a shared ledger
Tokenized accounts receivable as real-world assets (RWAs)
Validated AI agent-based automation of trade operations and other key capabilities
On the 23rd, POSCO INTERNATIONAL (CEO Lee Kye-In) announced that it has completed a proof of concept (PoC) for a blockchain- and AI-based trade finance infrastructure in collaboration with LG CNS, applying the technologies in a real-world global trading environment.
POSCO INTERNATIONAL undertook this PoC to improve the efficiency of managing the growing volume of transactions and settlements with overseas subsidiaries driven by its global business expansion, while accelerating the digital transformation of its trade operations. The company demonstrated digital technologies for global trade in three key areas: ▲ real-time sharing of transaction information through a shared ledger, ▲ tokenization of accounts receivable as real-world assets (RWAs), and ▲ AI agent-based automation of trade operations.
The validation focused on assessing whether digitally connecting and automating transaction, settlement, and document review processes across global trade operations could improve operational efficiency and strengthen risk management. POSCO INTERNATIONAL provided the proof-of-concept environment based on its global trade network and real-world transaction data, while LG CNS was responsible for system architecture design and the validation of blockchain and AI technologies.
First, the two companies implemented a shared ledger system based on blockchain to enable real-time sharing of transaction information among headquarters, overseas subsidiaries, and trading partners. In the past, transaction information required repetitive verification during the contract and settlement processes as it was managed separately by country and subsidiary. Under the shared ledger-based structure, all transaction participants can access and verify the same transaction information in real time, reducing operational risks caused by information discrepancies while improving the efficiency of contractual and settlement processes.
In the area of tokenizing accounts receivable as RWAs, the company validated a framework that enables receivables generated from actual trade transactions to be issued, transferred, settled, traded, and managed as digital assets. The technical validation utilized Injective, a blockchain network specialized for the corporate finance environment.
Based on the Injective network’s architecture—which allows compliance, privacy, and regulatory response functions to be integrated into the protocol layer—the project also validated the control functions necessary for corporate finance. Specifically, the companies verified the feasibility of implementing permission-based asset management, Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures, investor eligibility screening, and asset transfer restrictions, while assessing whether blockchain technology could be applied to the entire process of inter-company accounts receivable transactions.
An AI agent capable of automatically reading documents and detecting errors was applied to the review of letters of credit (LCs) and trade documents to evaluate its ability to reduce variations in review quality resulting from differences in the proficiency of personnel and to minimize human errors.
Global trade operations require a high level of expertise, as the required documents and procedures vary by country, trading partner, and contract terms. In particular, even minor errors, such as typographical mistakes in letters of credit (LCs) or omitted clauses, can result in payment delays or even payment rejections. The evaluation confirmed that utilizing the AI agent during the preliminary review stage enables the early identification of potential risks and helps reduce variations in work quality across overseas subsidiaries.
“This PoC is significant as it demonstrated the practical applicability of AI and blockchain technologies in a real-world trade environment,” said a POSCO INTERNATIONAL official. “We plan to finalize our pilot operation plans in the second half of this year, focusing on areas where the PoC confirmed meaningful improvements in operational efficiency.”
▲ POSCO INTERNATIONAL’s headquarters in Songdo.